Russia is poised to launch devastating cyber attacks against the United Kingdom and NATO allies as part of its strategy to weaken international support for Ukraine, according to a senior UK minister's upcoming warning.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will address the NATO Cyber Defence Conference in London with stark predictions about Russia's cyber warfare capabilities. His role, which oversees national security matters, puts him in a position to highlight specific threats facing NATO members.
The minister will warn that Russian state-backed hackers could potentially shut down power grids, leaving millions without electricity. British businesses are also in the crosshairs as potential targets of the Kremlin's "malign goals."
McFadden is expected to spotlight Russia's Unit 29155, a group previously linked to the 2018 Salisbury poisonings. According to Western intelligence agencies, this unit has executed numerous cyber attacks against NATO states, including strikes on critical infrastructure.
Recent weeks have seen multiple cyber attacks on UK local councils, with areas like Middleborough, Salford, Portsmouth, and Tees reportedly targeted. Pro-Russian hacking groups have claimed responsibility for some of these incidents.
The minister will describe these attacks as part of a "hidden war" being waged against Ukraine and its supporters. He will note that many attacks are carried out by "unofficial hacktivists" who maintain loose ties to the Kremlin while operating with relative freedom, provided they align with Putin's interests.
"No one should underestimate the Russian cyber threat to NATO. The threat is real," McFadden will emphasize, pointing to at least nine separate cyber attacks by Russian state-aligned hacking groups against NATO members.
This warning follows previous alerts about Russia's growing cyber warfare capabilities and represents mounting concerns about the Kremlin's "exceptionally aggressive and reckless" approach to digital warfare. The speech underscores the need for NATO allies to strengthen their cyber defenses against potential Russian aggression.