The Story MI6 chief warns of war with Russia - are we ready?
Dec 18, 2025
General Sir Richard Barrons, a former Commander of Joint Forces Command and a strategic defense expert, shares urgent insights on the escalating threats from Russia. He discusses the sophistication of Russian tactics including drone warfare and cyber attacks, highlighting that civil society is often the primary target. Barrons assesses the UK's military readiness as alarmingly low and emphasizes the need for a societal response, proposing urgent reforms and enhanced resilience within the next few years.
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State Confrontation Is Back
- Britain faces a renewed era of state-level confrontation marked by digital, climatic and nuclear pressures.
- General Sir Richard Barrons says public will and societal resilience, not just the military, will decide outcomes.
Civil Society Is The Primary Target
- Civil society is the primary target in modern conflict because daily life systems are vulnerable.
- Barrons warns attackers will aim first at energy, food, transport, communications and medicine infrastructure.
Attacks Will Aim At Cables, Pipelines And Space
- Russia already uses cyber and maritime probing to threaten undersea cables, pipelines and space assets.
- Barrons highlights these steps as preparation to sever the UK's digital and energy lifelines in conflict.