MI6 chief warns Britain of Russia’s gray‑zone tactics as Ukraine talks stall

MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli has warned Britain that Russia is pushing the limits of war with cyberattacks, drone incursions and other hybrid tactics, even as the war in Ukraine drags on.

Putin’s Stalling Strategy

Metreweli said Putin is “dragging out negotiations” on ending the conflict and remains determined to “subjugate Ukraine and harass NATO members.” She added that Russia is testing the West with tactics that are “just below the threshold of war.”

Accusations of Exporting Chaos

Metreweli accused Moscow of sponsoring cyberattacks on other countries’ critical infrastructure, drone incursions around European airports, campaigns of arson, sabotage and disinformation, and “aggressive activities in our seas, above and below the waves.” She described the export of chaos as a feature of Russia’s international approach.

A New Face for MI6

At 48, Metreweli is the first woman to head the U.K.’s 116‑year‑old foreign‑intelligence service. She gave reporters a rare look inside MI6 headquarters, describing the wood‑paneled dining room overlooking the River Thames as “familiar to movie fans everywhere”.

Technology and the New Frontiers of Conflict

Metreweli said rapidly evolving technology is rewriting the rules of conflict and that hybrid threats from states and extremist groups mean “the front line is everywhere.” She stressed that MI6 officers must be comfortable with lines of code and fluent in Python as well as multiple languages.

Trust Erosion and Information Weaponisation

“Our world is more dangerous and contested now than it has been for decades,” she said, adding that “we are being contested from sea to space, from the battlefield to the boardroom — and even our brains, as disinformation manipulates our understanding of each other and ourselves.” She warned that foundations of trust are eroding.

Sharpening Britain’s Edge

In a warning to Britain’s adversaries, Metreweli said MI6 will “sharpen our edge” and “take calculated risks.” She urged the agency to tap into its historical SOE instincts and to outplay opponents without stooping to their tactics.

Context of Ukraine Peace Talks

The warning came amid a flurry of diplomatic meetings aimed at ending the almost four‑year war sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Berlin Monday to meet U.S. envoys and will later meet leaders of Germany, France and Britain.

Personal Background and Legacy

Metreweli, who has almost three decades of clandestine service and a background in anthropology, psychology and AI, was previously the MI6 director of technology and innovation. She said she grew up with a deep sense of gratitude for the U.K.’s democracy, coming “from a family shaped by devastating conflict.” Media reports linked her grandfather, Constantine Dobrowolski, to a Nazi spy role in Ukraine during World War II, though MI6 said she never met him.

Broader Western Warnings

The speech is part of a series of alerts by Western defence and security authorities about hybrid threats from Russia, Iran and China. Last week the U.K. imposed sanctions on several Russian media outlets for alleged information warfare and on two Chinese tech firms for “vast and indiscriminate cyberactivities.”

British Military Perspective

Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, head of the British military, said at the Royal United Services Institute that Putin’s aim is “to challenge, limit, divide and ultimately destroy NATO.” He argued Britain needs a stronger military and more resilient infrastructure, noting that the price of maintaining peace is rising.

Key Takeaways

• Putin is dragging out negotiations while testing the West with gray‑zone tactics.
• Metreweli warns of Russia’s cyber, drone and hybrid threats and urges MI6 to sharpen its edge.
• Ukraine talks continue as Britain and allies push for a swift peace deal.

The MI6 chief’s remarks underscore the growing complexity of modern conflict and the need for Britain to adapt its intelligence and defence strategies to counter evolving hybrid threats.