Russia plots devastating cyber attacks that could 'shut down UK's power grids'

In a code to Nato chiefs Labour's Pat McFadden volition pass 'the menace is real' arsenic Vladimir Putin ramps up his cyber warfare with Ukraine's allies arsenic World War Three fears heighten

Russia is acceptable to unleash a question of cyber attacks connected the UK that could "turn retired the lights for millions", a Cabinet curate volition pass .

Pat McFadden volition archer a Nato league connected Monday that there's an imminent hazard that Vladimir Putin-backed hackers could "shut down the powerfulness grids". He volition archer the bloc's information chiefs that Russia is "exceptionally assertive and reckless successful the cyber realm" and should not beryllium underestimated.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - who is liable for nationalist information argumentation - volition warn: "The menace is real." He urged businesses to ramp up protections against hackers.

It comes arsenic tensions escalate pursuing Ukraine's usage of British long-range missiles into Russian territory - a determination the Kremlin says has dragged the UK into the conflict.

Mr McFadden volition archer delegates successful London that Putin volition people states that enactment Ukraine. And helium volition accidental that a question of cyber attacks has already been directed astatine the UK.

The Cabinet subordinate is expected to state: "In the UK, Russia has targeted our media, our telecoms, our governmental and antiauthoritarian institutions and our vigor infrastructure.

"Military hard powerfulness is 1 thing. But cyber warfare tin beryllium destabilising and debilitating. With a cyber attack, Russia tin crook the lights disconnected for millions of people. It tin unopen down the powerfulness grids. This is the hidden warfare Russia is waging with Ukraine."

And successful a chilling connection to Nato chiefs helium volition say: "Given the standard of that hostility, my connection to members contiguous is clear: no-one should underestimate the Russian cyber menace to Nato. The menace is real. Russia is exceptionally assertive and reckless successful the cyber realm."

Mr McFadden is expected to specifically telephone retired Unit 29155 - a Russian subject portion that the Government says is down a fig of attacks successful the UK and Europe. He volition besides accidental "unofficial hacktivists" and mercenaries not straight nether the Kremlin's power are allowed to enactment with impunity.

He volition add: "Russia won't deliberation doubly astir targeting British businesses successful pursuit of its malign goals. It is blessed to exploit immoderate spread successful our cyber oregon carnal defences," helium volition add.

"It means making definite that businesses and different civilian organisations are doing everything they tin to fastener their ain integer doors. Their information is our security."

The informing was echoed by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall connected Sunday morning. She said ministers are "really focussed" connected making definite the UK is protected, saying: "There is simply a menace from Russia, there's hidden warfare arsenic good arsenic the unfastened subject aggression. "