The Russian Federation Is Increasing Its Malign Activities And Interference - UK Statement To The OSCE

26th July 2024

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown underlines the increased scale and intensity of the hybrid threat now faced by many participating States.

Thank you, Madam Chair - The threat from the Russian Federation comes in many forms, so let me thank France for tabling this item, and allowing participating States the opportunity to put on record just how reckless it is becoming. As Russia continues to pursue its devastating war in Ukraine at ever greater cost to Ukraine and itself, Russia's operations abroad have become more diverse and more widespread.

Russia's use of disinformation and other malign tactics is well documented - deployed to advance its influence, sow discord and undermine global rules and norms. This is pervasive across the globe, but particularly in its near abroad. Alongside the US and Canada, the UK recently condemned Russian attempts to undermine Moldova's democratic institutions in the leadup to the October presidential elections, and the referendum on Moldova's EU membership. The UK will continue to stand firm with our friends, against Russia's persistent attempts to undermine sovereignty and democratic processes, and to provide support to bolster regional resilience.

In Europe, participating States have seen buildings burned down. In May, five British men were arrested and charged in relation to an arson attack in London. Two of these individuals were arrested and charged under the UK's new National Security Act including offences relating to a foreign intelligence service - with the Crown Prosecution Service confirming Russia as the foreign state involved in the sabotage incident. Similar incidents and arrests have taken place in Poland, Czechia, and Latvia, which we assess to be part of a covert and coordinated sabotage campaign, directed by Russia. It is clear that those behind this activity do not care who bears the consequences of their recklessness.

This year, there have been numerous reports of assassination plots allegedly prepared by Russia, including one which allegedly resulted in the death of a Russian defector, who was shot dead in Spain. This is nothing new; it brings to mind the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal by the GRU, which led to the death of an innocent British civilian in 2018, or the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. What is new, is the scale and intensity of the hybrid threat now faced by so many participating States, signalling an increase in Russia’s readiness to use covert and illegal methods abroad to further its agenda, posing the most acute threat to European security and to global stability.

Such aggression requires a robust and collective response from all participating States who seek to uphold the core values of this organisation. We must make clear to President Putin and the Russian authorities that attempts to undermine our support for Ukraine will not work, by maintaining the assistance it urgently needs to defeat Russia on the battlefield. And we must work together to deny Russia’s attempts to operate inside our own borders, whether directly or through its proxies.

The UK has taken action to expel the Russian Defence Attache, an undeclared GRU officer, and is working intensively to make the UK the hardest possible operating environment for Russian hybrid attacks. Such measures are vital to prevent Russia from destabilising those who stand in its way, and to send a clear message that we will not falter in the face of its belligerence. Thank you.

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe - OSCE