UK MoD Recognizes Russia as Biggest Threat to European Security

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has unveiled a strategy to modernise the country's armed forces ( .pdf ), including mentioning the threat from Russia.

"Russia continues to pose the greatest nuclear, military and hybrid threat to European security. The modernization of the Russian armed forces, the ability to integrate into all state activities and the increased appetite for risk make Russia a skillful and unpredictable player," the document says.

The strategy mentions that Russia is investing in a submarine combat fleet, deep-sea equipment capable of damaging seabed communication cables, and in the creation of torpedoes capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the shores of adversaries.

The UK Ministry of Defence also believes that Russia can carry out precision strikes at long range, thereby depriving the UK and its allies of “freedom of action through an integrated air defence system”. In this way, Russia threatens the UK’s ability to “maintain forces and protect interests in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East”, the strategy notes.

The UK authorities are also concerned about Russia's readiness to use chemical or biological weapons, including on UK territory .