Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Russia: Level of Threat

Monday 1 June 2026 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 6 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Russia poses a significant and persistent threat to UK and Atlantic security due to its illegal war against Ukraine and daily hostile activities.
  • The Government seeks a closer relationship with the European Union within a NATO framework to address the hybrid warfare threat from Russia.
  • The Government agrees to produce or increase urgency for a communication strategy to raise public awareness about Russian hybrid warfare threats.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gordon McKee Lab Glasgow South
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

Concerns about Russia's aggressive stance and increasing threats to UK security.

Question

What assessment has been made of the level of threat from Russia, considering its illegal war against Ukraine and daily hostile activities?

Answer from John Healey

Russia poses a significant and persistent threat to UK and Atlantic security. Putin's illegal war against Ukraine is now in its fifth year, and Russia conducts hostile cyber-activity, spreads disinformation and carries out sabotage against the UK and many other NATO allies almost daily.

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Q2 Connor Rand Lab Altrincham and Sale West
Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

Government increased military support to Ukraine but needs closer relationships with allies.

Question

Given Russia's hybrid warfare threat, does the Government agree on seeking a closer relationship with the European Union within a NATO framework?

Answer from John Healey

I agree with my hon. Friend that we are right to seek a closer relationship with the European Union, which has an important contribution to make, from within a “NATO first” framework. That is why, last year, we signed the security and defence partnership with the European Union.

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Q3 Gordon McKee Lab Glasgow South
Foreign Affairs
Context

Security experts believe Russia is conducting hybrid warfare against the UK, but this understanding isn't widespread.

Question

Will the Government produce or increase urgency for a communication strategy to raise public awareness about Russian hybrid warfare threats?

Answer from John Healey

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. We are doing more to expose the threats, and will do more still. The Russian threat against the UK is real and rising, and it is important for the public and Parliament to understand that.

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Q4 David Reed Con Exmouth and Exeter East
Defence
Context

France seized sanctioned Russian vessels legally, while UK has not acted despite legal basis confirmed.

Question

Does the Government agree that unchallenged passage of Russian vessels through UK waters signals weakness?

Answer from John Healey

On the contrary, this is deterrence in action. We supported the French operation and are proud to do so. Defence stands ready to lead on our own interdiction, but we disrupt Russian shadow fleet shipping with escorted vessels and detoured tankers.

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Q5 David Reed Con Exmouth and Exeter East
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

France and other allies have no hesitation in intercepting Russian vessels, while UK's Attorney General has doubts.

Question

Can the Government explain why the UK Attorney General is hesitant about intercepting Russian shadow fleet tankers?

Answer from John Healey

The hon. Gentleman is entirely wrong in his assertion and facts. With the Attorney General, I led a meeting of 10 joint expeditionary force nations' military experts to discuss the legal basis for interdicting and seizing Russian shadow ships.

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Q6 James MacCleary Lib Dem Lewes
Ukraine Defence
Context

Visiting Ukraine, the MP saw total devastation and innovative counter-drone tactics.

Question

What steps are being taken to accelerate UK-Ukraine defence cooperation in counter-drone capabilities?

Answer from John Healey

The hon. Gentleman makes a really important argument. It was captured in the strategic defence review, and has been put into practice since. Within the last two weeks, I was with our troops in Estonia, close to the Russian frontline, learning lessons and implementing similar tactics and technologies.

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