Camilla Jessen
For the first time in nearly two decades, Britain is preparing for a direct attack from Russia.
The United Kingdom has begun quietly preparing for the possibility of a direct military attack by Russia, according to a report from The Telegraph.
For the first time in nearly two decades, the UK is updating its “national defence plan”, a classified set of protocols designed to guide the government’s response in the event of war.
According to officials familiar with the project, it includes protocols for wartime governance, emergency use of bunkers for the Cabinet and royal family, the deployment of civilian infrastructure such as railways and communication networks, and the coordination of national broadcasting and supply chains.
The updated document accounts for scenarios that didn’t exist in 2005, including large-scale cyberattacks, as well as potential conventional or nuclear missile strikes.
The government has not indicated when the plan will be finalized, though it is unlikely to be made public for decades.
Defence Secretary: “We Weren’t Prepared for War”
Earlier this year, UK Defence Secretary John Healey criticized the state of the British military, saying it had been “devastated” by underfunding under previous Conservative governments.
The UK, like many other countries, has become very sophisticated at conducting limited military operations. What we were not prepared for was war.
“If we are not prepared for war, we cannot deter an enemy,” Healey said.
In February 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence released a report concluding that the armed forces lacked the training and resources needed for high-intensity, prolonged warfare.
“Despite the ability to deploy at short notice, preparedness for all-out war is under-recognized and requires ongoing attention,” the report warned.
NATO Sounds the Alarm
The UK’s preparations come in the context of escalating warnings from NATO allies.
In January, newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged member states to brace for a potential war with Russia within four to five years.
What is happening in Ukraine now could happen to us.
Germany’s top intelligence official, Bruno Kahl, issued a similar warning, suggesting Russia could target NATO countries by 2030.
He said President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions go far beyond Ukraine, pointing to efforts to undermine U.S. military presence in Europe and reshape the global order.