UK Peers Warn of Russian Sabotage and Infrastructure Vulnerability

Former chief of the defence staff Stuart Peach and House of Lords National Resilience Committee chair Jean Coussins warned that Russia is actively seeking to harm the United Kingdom through economic disruption and the sabotage of critical infrastructure. They specifically highlighted the vulnerability of undersea cables essential for financial services and internet connectivity.

During a joint interview, the peers stated that Britain is unprepared for the realities of full-scale war or widespread power outages. Coussins noted that the UK already faces daily cyberattacks and proxy actions from Russia and Iran, while the head of GCHQ has warned that Russia is targeting public trust and national supply chains.

The House of Lords National Resilience Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into the country's preparedness. The committee intends to publish recommendations later this year, focusing on improving food supply chain security and implementing public emergency systems modeled after those used in Sweden and other Nordic countries.