Lord Ricketts, who previously served as the UK’s national security adviser, has issued a public warning regarding the vulnerability of British infrastructure to what he describes as 'hybrid attacks' from Russia. In his assessment, the current state of national resilience is insufficient to withstand sophisticated interference or sabotage attempts.

According to Lord Ricketts, the government must prioritize increased spending to bolster the security of critical systems. He specifically highlighted energy grids, transport networks, air traffic control systems, and defense installations as high-priority targets that require immediate attention. The term 'hybrid warfare' in this context refers to non-conventional tactics—such as cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and infrastructure sabotage—that fall below the threshold of traditional open military conflict but aim to destabilize a nation's functioning.

While the report emphasizes the need for defensive investment, it does not detail specific intelligence regarding an imminent threat or a particular incident that prompted these remarks. The call to action centers on the proactive hardening of civilian and military infrastructure to ensure the country can maintain essential services in the event of hostile interference. There is currently no public disagreement on this issue, as the report focuses on a strategic recommendation for national security policy rather than a debate over a specific event.