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London, June 5, 2025 – The United Kingdom is grappling with heightened concerns over a potential Russian attack, as outlined in its recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The 144-page document, which mentions Russia 33 times, describes the country as an "immediate and pressing threat" to UK security. The review, led by former NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, underscores the need for Britain to prepare for war in response to growing Russian aggression, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In the foreword to the SDR, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "In this new era of defence and security, Russia is waging war on our continent and probing weaknesses in our homeland defence. We must confront this danger head-on." The review highlights Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as evidence of its willingness to use force to achieve its goals, disrupt the international order, and expand its influence, posing a direct threat to the UK and its allies.
Despite Russia’s conventional ground forces being temporarily weakened by the Ukraine conflict, the SDR notes that Moscow continues to modernize and expand its military capabilities. The report points to Russia’s advancements in space, cyberspace, information operations, undersea warfare, and chemical and biological weapons as enduring threats. UK Defence Secretary John Healey further warned that Britain’s armed forces face daily cyberattacks from Russia and other adversaries, with 89 "nationally significant" attacks recorded in the past year.
In response to these claims, Russia’s London embassy issued a statement on June 4, firmly denying any intention to attack Britain. "The UK’s allegations reflect a new kind of anti-Russian sentiment. Russia poses no threat to the United Kingdom or its people. We have no aggressive intentions, no plans to attack Britain, and no interest or need to do so," the statement read. However, Whitehall and Westminster remain skeptical of Moscow’s assurances, citing Russia’s history of denying aggressive intentions before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which it claimed was solely to secure its own interests.
The SDR calls for a significant overhaul of Britain’s defence strategy, including a "NATO-first" policy, increased investment in nuclear deterrence, and the development of up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines. It also emphasizes the need for advancements in drones, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to counter modern threats. The review warns that the UK’s armed forces are not fully prepared to face adversaries like Russia, citing inadequate weapon stockpiles, overstretched medical services, and a personnel crisis.
Tensions between the UK and Russia have been strained since the 2018 Salisbury Novichok poisonings, which Britain attributed to Russian agents, and further deteriorated after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The UK has been a key supporter of Ukraine, supplying anti-tank weapons, Challenger 2 tanks, and Storm Shadow long-range missiles to aid Kyiv’s defense efforts.
As global tensions rise, the SDR underscores the urgency of transforming Britain’s military to achieve "war-fighting readiness." However, concerns remain about funding, with experts warning that the proposed increase to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and an ambition to reach 3% may not be sufficient to meet the scale of the threats outlined.
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