In a significant speech next week, a senior Cabinet official will warn that Russia is ready to launch a series of cyberattacks against Britain and other NATO members in an effort to erode support for Ukraine.

According to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, Moscow would "not think twice" about taking advantage of defense flaws to attack UK companies, and allies must "not underestimate" the threat it poses.

Mr. McFadden will also caution that, as the Sunday Telegraph first reported, cyber intervention allows Russia to "turn the lights off for millions of people" and is a symbol of the "hidden war" it is conducting against Kyiv.

In a speech to the Nato Cyber Defence Conference at Lancaster House, the minister is expected to say: “Military hard-power is one thing. But cyber war can be destabilising and debilitating. With a cyber attack, Russia can turn the lights off for millions of people. It can shut down the power grids. This is the hidden war Russia is waging with Ukraine.”

Russia won’t think twice about targeting British businesses in pursuit of its malign goals

Pat McFadden

He will add: “Given the scale of that hostility, my message to members today is clear: no one should underestimate the Russian cyber threat to Nato. The threat is real. Russia is exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm.”