Former MI6 chief Richard Dearlove urges the UK to be vigilant against potential sabotage.
Richard Dearlove, former head of the Secret Intelligence Service (1999-2004), believes the UK government should consider the Ukraine conflict an active war with Russia. He made this statement during a Wednesday interview with Sky News journalist Sophy Ridge.
Responding to Moscow’s recent blacklisting of British officials, Dearlove stated that the UK must acknowledge Russia’s perception of being at war with the West. He disagreed with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s assessment of a “pre-war situation,” instead characterizing it as an ongoing war, albeit encompassing hybrid and varied forms of conflict.
Dearlove highlighted the risk of sabotage and emphasized the need for the UK to maintain some communication channels with Russia, despite the conflict’s severity. He suggested that limited dialogue is preferable to complete isolation.
Russian officials have repeatedly claimed that Western military aid to Ukraine constitutes direct participation in the conflict.
The UK, a major arms supplier to Ukraine, has provided Challenger 2 tanks and other heavy weaponry. Recent deliveries include Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles, according to Bloomberg.
President Putin has asserted that Ukraine’s long-range missile strikes are impossible without NATO involvement, threatening retaliation for attacks on Russian territory.
Moscow has also accused the US and UK of orchestrating the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, a claim both countries deny.