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Russia's intelligence services are actively working to create "sustained mayhem on British and European streets," according to the head of MI5, Ken McCallum. In a recent security update, McCallum disclosed that Russian GRU agents have engaged in "arson, sabotage, and more dangerous actions" across Britain, as the UK continues its support for Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia.

‘We're seeing far too many cases where very young people are being drawn into poisonous online extremism’, revealed MI5 Director General Ken McCallum in a rare public speech. pic.twitter.com/x6H5ROd52a

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) October 8, 2024

 

In his annual briefing, McCallum highlighted that MI5 has faced 20 Iran-backed plots since 2022, but stressed that their primary focus still lies with Islamist extremism and extreme right-wing terrorism. The UK's complex threat landscape, with its mix of state-sponsored and terror-related dangers, poses an enormous challenge for the agency. "MI5 has one hell of a job on its hands," he admitted.

 

The MI5 chief revealed concerning trends, particularly among younger populations. He noted that 13% of those being investigated for terrorism are under 18, many drawn into extremism through the internet. "We are seeing far too many cases where very young people are being drawn into poisonous online extremism," he said, citing the growing influence of extreme right-wing propaganda.

 

Since 2017, MI5 has foiled 43 late-stage plots involving firearms and explosives aimed at committing "mass murder" in the UK. Alongside these terror threats, the number of state-backed investigations has increased by 48%. "The first 20 years of my career here were crammed full of terrorist threats," McCallum reflected, adding that MI5 now faces these alongside "state-backed assassination and sabotage plots, against the backdrop of a major European land war."

 

Britain's prominent role in supporting Ukraine has heightened its visibility in Russia's eyes, McCallum warned. "We loom large in the fevered imagination of Putin's regime," he said, adding that further acts of aggression on UK soil should be expected. More than 750 Russian diplomats, many suspected of espionage, have been expelled from Europe since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, significantly affecting Russian intelligence operations. In response, Russian state actors have turned to proxies such as private intelligence contractors and criminal organizations to carry out their missions, but this has reduced the professionalism of their efforts, making them easier to disrupt.

 

The MI5 director also discussed the ongoing threat from Iran, highlighting the sharp increase in Iran-backed plots in the UK since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. These plots present "potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents," he said, with the number of Iranian-directed actions doubling in recent months. Despite the risk of exposure, Iran shows no signs of scaling back its aggressive stance.

 

Touching upon China, McCallum pointed to the significant economic relationship between the UK and China, which he said underpins security. However, he noted the Chinese Communist Party's increasing efforts to steal data, with MI5 observing 20,000 hidden approaches to individuals by Chinese operatives. 

 

The growing number of young people attracted to online extremism is a growing concern for MI5, particularly in the case of right-wing terrorism. McCallum highlighted the "canny understanding of online culture" displayed by these movements, explaining that many of the threats involve “lone individuals indoctrinated online." He warned, "In dark corners of the internet, talk is cheap. Sorting the real plotters from armchair extremists is an exacting task."

 

Sir Keir Starmer, responding to McCallum’s address, acknowledged the "sober findings" but reassured the public, stating that the UK's security services are "world class" and will do everything necessary to keep the country safe.

 

Based on a report from BBC 2024-10-10