Russian embassy rages after MI6 chief warns of ‘aggressive’ Russia | World | News
The Russian Embassy in the UK has responded angrily after the head of MI6 warned of “aggressive activities” and sabotage operations from Vladimir Putin’s country. Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) chief Blaise Metreweli yesterday accused Moscow of “bullying, intimidating and manipulating” the West amid the protracted war with Ukraine.
He also cited “aggressive activities” in British seas, state-sponsored arson, sabotage, propaganda and influence operations. But the Russian Embassy in the UK responded by accusing Ms Metreweli of “painting Russia as the enemy of Britain and Europe” and calling for an end to this narrative.
The statement said: “We think it is necessary to remember a few clear facts. Russia has no plans, intentions or reasons to enter into armed conflict with the United Kingdom, as local media continue to frighten their audiences.”
“All slanders such as ‘hybrid threat’ are also completely unfounded.”
In her first major speech since being appointed head of MI6 in June, Ms Metreweli warned that Britain was operating “in the zone between peace and war” and that Russia was “testing us in the gray zone” as the war continued.
“Let Putin have no doubt that our support is permanent. The pressure we exert on behalf of Ukraine will continue.
“In addition to overwhelming warfare, Russia is testing us in the gray zone with tactics just below the threshold of war.”
He pointed out Russia’s cyber attacks on critical infrastructures and the increasing threats against unmanned aerial vehicles sent through airports.
Drones have been spotted in European airspace in recent months, including during Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Dublin earlier this month.
Ms Metreweli added: “The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in Russia’s approach to international engagement, and we must be prepared for this to continue until Putin is forced to change his calculus.
“Technology mastery will permeate everything we do – not just in our laboratories, but in the field, in our business skills and, importantly, in the mindset of every officer.
“We will be as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human resources, and we will be fluent in Python as well as many other languages.”
