The Chief of the General Staff of the British Armed Forces, Sir Richard Knighton, has stated that the risks and threats to the country are now at their highest level since the end of the Cold War.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Knighton said: "This is the most dangerous period I can remember."
According to him, Russia is "probing, testing, and challenging" the UK's defense system, while escalating the situation and risking crossing dangerous lines.
Knighton noted that the British army has been preparing mainly for short-term conflicts in recent decades, but now the country must be ready for longer wars.
"We need to spend more on defense and do it faster. Making difficult decisions about resource reallocation is the responsibility of ministers," he emphasized.
The Chief also reported increased activity of Russian long-range aviation in the Far North region.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier stated that both British intelligence and some NATO members do not rule out that Russia could attack the alliance by 2030. He said this shows that increasing defense spending is an urgent priority.
NATO leadership has repeatedly expressed concern about a possible confrontation with Russia. Secretary General Mark Rutte called on member states not to be "naive" in the face of the threat posed by Moscow and to increase defense spending.
