London says it expects Russian attacks

The Russian Federation intends to launch a wave of cyberattacks on the UK, which will leave millions of residents without electricity. This is reported by The Telegraph, citing British Cabinet Secretary Pat McFadden.

According to him, Vladimir Putin is ready to deliver a "destabilising and weakening" cyber strike on Britain.

Russia is exceptionally aggressive and reckless in cyberspace and wants to gain a strategic advantage and humiliate states that support Ukraine,'' he said.

He specified that the likely cyber attack would target energy companies. The Kremlin's goal is to de-energise them, and with them the homes of millions of Britons. Moscow also wants to harm the British economy.

With a cyberattack, Russia could switch off the lights for millions of people. It can shut down the power grids. This is a covert war that Russia is waging. Such an attack could be a crushing blow to the national economy," McFland said.

He said Russian cyber criminals have become very active and are constantly looking for weaknesses in Britain's cyber defences.

Over the past year, the Russian military and its unofficial army of cyber criminals and hacktivists have not just stepped up their attacks, but have expanded their target range to include a number of NATO member states and partners," he pointed out.

McFadden added that the Russians are trying to damage British media, telecoms.

Military hard power is one thing. But cyber warfare can be very debilitating," he noted.