The former Chairman of the Defence Select Committee has warned that the UK faces "daily" attacks from Russia and must become more resilient to counter these threats.
Tobias Ellwood told GB News that Russia is constantly targeting Britain through cyber attacks, coercion, disinformation campaigns and interference with undersea cables.
"We are attacked daily by Russia, let me make that clear," Ellwood said.
He explained these actions are "all designed to cause economic harm" and "sow political confusion" as part of Russia's strategy against the UK.
Tobias Ellwood warned Britain is 'vulnerable' to Russia and possible 'daily attacks'
GB News / Reuters
Ellwood compared the current global situation to 1938, suggesting a similar sense of looming conflict.
"There's a 1938 feel to the world right now," he said. He noted that Russia is unlikely to launch a full-scale invasion that would trigger American intervention.
Instead, Russia's approach is more subtle and insidious: "What Russia does is to probe, to see where there are weaknesses, to use proxy influences - the green men, as they're called - those not in uniform, to cause havoc and deniable attacks on Europe and indeed the UK," Ellwood explained.
He warned that Europe is now experiencing "a new era of insecurity".
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Emmanuel Macron has warned that a European peacekeeping force for Ukraine could “respond” if it falls under attack from MoscowREUTERSEllwood outlined specific scenarios that could severely impact daily life in Britain. He warned about potential attacks on critical infrastructure, including undersea cables.
"If your power goes out, which it could easily do in London, or, let's say there's a swarm drone attack up the Thames that would take out our ability to have water for a number of days," he cautioned.
Ellwood referenced the recent Heathrow substation fire as an example of infrastructure vulnerability.
"Imagine that happening on a wider scale, meaning that there's no electricity in swathes of the South West or South East or Scotland or anywhere for days on end," he said.
Ellwood told GB News that there is a '1938 feel to the world'
GB News
Ellwood concluded with a call for the UK to confront these difficult security questions now rather than later.
"These are difficult questions," he acknowledged.
He insisted that discussing potential threats and preparing for them is essential for national security: "Asking those difficult questions now, can't be a bad thing," Ellwood said.
"Putin still has ambition to take all of Ukraine," he cautioned.
Ellwood warned: "What happened in Ukraine is very, very real indeed, and that could easily happen in other parts of Eastern Europe."
