News
Defence secretary warns Britain faces a ‘rising threat’ from Russia
Story by Jason Groves
Britain faces a ‘live and rising threat’ from Russia, the Defence Secretary warned yesterday, as new evidence emerged of the Kremlin’s efforts to menace the UK.
Defence sources said Moscow was now making ‘concerted, daily’ attempts to hack into the UK’s ‘core’ defence networks.
In the last two months alone, more than 90,000 cyber-attacks emanating from Russia have been picked up. During the same period, 20,000 defence and military personnel have been directly targeted by hackers thought to be operating on behalf of the Kremlin’s specialist GRU unit, which was blamed for the 2018 Salisbury poisonings.
At the same time, conventional British forces have had to respond to mounting attempts by the Russian military to test the UK’s border defences.
Defence sources revealed that RAF jets had to scramble for the second time in days last week to respond to Russian military aircraft approaching the UK’s airspace. RAF jets were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth on both September 11 and 13 to intercept Russian aircraft, including Bear-F maritime patrol planes.
Defence Secretary John Healey has warned that the UK is facing a ‘live and rising threat’ from Russia
Vladimir Putin has threatened reprisals against the West if it sanctions the use of Storm Shadow missiles for military targets deep inside Russia
Defense sources have warned that the UK is facing ‘concerted, daily’ attempts to hack into its ‘core’ defense networks, with 90,000 cyber-attacks emanating from Russia picked up in the last two months alone
Earlier this month HMS Iron Duke and HMS Tyne monitored four Russian naval ships as they passed through the Channel and North Sea.
Defence Secretary John Healey told the Mail that Vladimir Putin appeared to be deliberately targeting the UK over this country’s support for Ukraine. He warned that Britain now faced a ‘live and rising threat’ from Russia.
Intelligence chiefs believe the activity is part of a reckless campaign of sabotage being waged by Russia against Ukraine’s European allies.
A defence source said dealing with malign Russian activity was now a ‘daily reality’ for those defending the UK.
The surge in activity comes ahead of a crunch meeting at the United Nations this week, when Ukraine’s allies will debate whether to allow the use of long range Storm Shadow missiles against military targets deep inside Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present a ‘plan for victory’ when he meets Western leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York. Yesterday, as he signed American artillery shells, he said the events of the autumn would ‘determine the future of this war’.
Sir Keir Starmer will fly to New York for the summit tonight, just days after a trip to Washington where he discussed the use of Storm Shadow with Joe Biden.
The Prime Minister will fly to New York for the UN General Assembly on Monday night
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is set to present a ‘plan for victory’ when he meets Western leaders when he meets Western leaders at the summit
Putin has threatened reprisals against the West if the use of Storm Shadow is sanctioned, saying it ‘would mean that Nato countries, the United States, and European countries are at war with Russia’.
Speaking at Labour’s conference in Liverpool yesterday, Mr Healey said president Zelensky’s plan would be a ‘defining’ moment for the next period of the conflict in Ukraine.
‘I see this meeting at the United Nations, and the potential contribution that President Zelensky is promising as defining for this next period ahead,’ he said.
The Defence Secretary said what victory for Ukraine will look like is for Ukraine to decide, but that it is ‘absolutely preventing Putin from prevailing’.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s security, saying he feels perfectly safe during his visit to the country. His remarks come amid ongoing reports of insecurity in various parts of Nigeria, making his statement a notable endorsement of the nation’s stability in certain regions.
Johnson made the declaration on Thursday, December 4, 2025, while addressing participants at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, the state capital. He acknowledged having read travel advisories and news reports highlighting security concerns prior to his trip but said his experience has been reassuring.
He said he feels perfectly safe in the country and emphasized that the summit environment and local hospitality contributed to his sense of security. He also asked the audience if they felt safe, receiving an enthusiastic affirmation.
During his visit, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Imo State Government for their development initiatives, particularly efforts to provide 24-hour electricity. He highlighted the potential of Nigeria as a hub for innovation and economic growth, noting the opportunities presented by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
While his statements have been welcomed by some as a boost to international confidence in Nigeria, analysts caution that the former prime minister’s experience reflects only a controlled and secure environment within Imo State. Several parts of the country continue to face challenges, including banditry, communal conflicts, and kidnappings.
Nonetheless, Johnson’s visit and remarks are significant, sending a positive message to investors and global observers about Nigeria’s potential for stability and progress. They also underscore the contrast between localized experiences of safety and broader security challenges across the country.
By Emmanuel Iheaka, OWERRI
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has assured Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that his group will be one of the biggest investors in the state.
Dangote gave the assurance at the opening session of the Imo Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri on Thursday.
The renowned Africa’s industrialist urged Uzodimma to indicate his preferred area of investment and forget the rest.
Dangote described the Imo governor as a personal friend of decades and commended him for providing enabling environment for investment.
“We will be one of your biggest investors in Imo. So, please tell me the area to invest and we will invest”, Dangote declared.
He called on entrepreneurs to always invest at home, adding that foreigners cannot drive the economy of any nation more than the nationals.
“What attracts foreign investors is a domestic investor. Africa has about 30 percent of the world’s minerals. We are blessed,” he submitted.
Dangote reiterated that his refinery was set to launch 1.4 million barrels per day capacity, the highest for any single refinery in the world.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to accept Prince Emmanuel Kanu’s appearance on behalf of his brother, Nnamdi Kanu, ruling that he is not a legal practitioner.
Boris Johnson Says He Feels “Perfectly Safe” in Nigeria, Praises Imo State’s Progress
Dangote to Uzodimma: Just show me where to invest
Judge rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s brother court appearance
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