Russia-linked Threat Actors Threaten UK and its Allies, Minister to Say
A top UK minister is set to warn that Russia is orchestrating cyberattacks against Britain and NATO allies in an effort to weaken support for Ukraine.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and minister responsible for national security, will address the NATO Cyber Defence Conference in London about Russia's "hidden war" through cyber operations.
During his speech at Lancaster House, McFadden will highlight the specific threat from Russia's GRU Unit 29155, which British authorities have linked to multiple attacks across the UK and Europe. He will describe the Kremlin's cyber activities as "exceptionally aggressive and reckless."
The minister will emphasize Russia's ability to target critical infrastructure, warning that state-sponsored hackers could potentially disable power grids and "turn the lights off for millions of people." British businesses are also at risk from these malicious cyber operations.
According to McFadden's prepared remarks, Russian state-aligned hacking groups have already executed at least nine cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure in NATO nations. The threat extends beyond official state actors to include "unofficial hacktivists" with ties to Moscow.
U.S. intelligence agencies recently connected GRU Unit 29155 to global cyber operations dating back to 2020, involving espionage, sabotage, and reputation damage campaigns. The unit has expanded its activities to include offensive cyber operations while operating independently from other GRU-affiliated groups.
The UK government is responding to these threats through new initiatives, including the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR). This £8.2 million program will bring together experts from government, intelligence agencies, academia and industry to strengthen Britain's cyber defenses.
McFadden's warning comes as Russia potentially seeks retaliation against the UK and other nations supporting Ukraine's defense efforts. The minister will urge NATO members not to underestimate the scale and sophistication of Russia's cyber capabilities.
The speech highlights growing concerns about Russia's use of cyber warfare as an alternative to conventional military action, with potential targets including critical national infrastructure and key economic sectors.