Putin poised to unleash cyber attacks on UK, minister warns

The UK faces an imminent threat of crippling cyber attacks from Russia, capable of “turning out the lights for millions,” a senior minister will warn at a NATO cyber defence conference in London.

Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is expected to highlight Russia’s readiness to wage cyber warfare targeting critical infrastructure and businesses, urging firms to bolster their defences.

Mr McFadden will describe Russia as “exceptionally aggressive and reckless” in the cyber domain, seeking to destabilise nations that support Ukraine. He will caution that Russian attacks could shut down power grids and disrupt the UK economy, emphasising that both the state and independent cybercriminals aligned with the Kremlin are actively widening their targets to NATO members.

“Russia’s cyber capabilities can be as destabilising and debilitating as military action,” Mr McFadden will state, adding that hackers have already targeted the UK’s energy networks, telecoms, and democratic institutions. Recent NHS hospital hacks, thought to involve Russian groups, postponed over 800 operations, including critical cancer treatments.

Mr McFadden will also underline the growing sophistication of “hacktivist” groups acting independently of the Kremlin but with tacit approval. He will cite attacks on local councils and NATO allies as examples of how these actors are expanding their reach and wreaking havoc.

“These groups are unpredictable and capable of inflicting significant damage with a single miscalculation,” he will say. “Putin is happy to exploit any gaps in our defences, targeting British businesses and infrastructure.”

The government is preparing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to strengthen the UK’s cyber defences. The proposed legislation will empower regulators, compel businesses to report attacks, and require essential infrastructure providers to secure their supply chains. Ministers are also engaging with business leaders to improve cyber defences amid estimates that cybercrime costs the UK £27 billion annually.

The warning comes as tensions escalate following Russia’s threats to target nations supplying Ukraine with weaponry, including the UK’s Storm Shadow missiles. Last month, Russia tested an intermediate-range missile and hinted it could retaliate against Western nations, adding further urgency to the need for robust cyber protections.