UK to revise secret war plan amid rising Russian threat

The UK government is preparing to update a classified defence plan first drawn up two decades ago, amid growing concerns over potential aggression from Russia, The Daily Telegraph has reported.

The secret contingency plan, which outlines the country’s response in the event of an attack or declaration of war, is being revised to include modern threats such as cyberattacks. According to the newspaper, this marks the first time the plan will explicitly address cyber warfare as a potential form of aggression.

The move comes after ministers officially designated Russia a national security threat in April - a significant shift in the UK’s defence posture. Senior officials in London reportedly fear that Britain may not be adequately prepared for a coordinated assault by Russia or its allies, which experts warn could result in widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, significant economic disruption, and loss of life.

The new strategy will reportedly draw on a Cold War-era dossier detailing the UK’s response to a nuclear strike, including the evacuation of the prime minister and senior cabinet members. That document remains classified and is not expected to be made public.