'Europe must prepare': Minister warns Britain is on a war footing as Nato chief says conflict with Russia 'at our door'
Britain was told to prepare for armed conflict with Russia last night.
Armed Forces minister Al Carns said the country was on a 'war footing' and warned that the 'shadow of war was at Europe's door'.
His chilling message came as Mark Rutte, secretary general of the Nato alliance, said its members, including Britain, must prepare 'for the scale of conflict our grandparents and great grandparents endured'.
But, amid the terrifying warnings, there were questions for the Government over defence spending.
In Berlin, Mr Rutte predicted that Europe is Vladimir Putin's 'next target', adding: 'We are already in harm's way.'
His frightening reference to the two world wars experienced by previous generations came as Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines officer, said the UK had experienced a 50 per cent increase in Russian threats and attacks in the last year.
While the total number of incidents is strictly classified, it is, he admitted, 'in the hundreds'.
Speaking at the launch of the UK's Military Intelligence Services - intended to protect this country from Russian espionage and cyber threats - the minister said: 'The shadow of war is knocking on Europe's door and that war could be bigger and bloodier than what we have experienced in recent times.
Armed Forces minister Al Carns (pictured) said the country was on a 'war footing' and warned that the 'shadow of war was at Europe's door'
His chilling message came as Mark Rutte (pictured), secretary general of the Nato alliance, said its members, including Britain, must prepare 'for the scale of conflict our grandparents and great grandparents endured'
'If you look at the UK casualties taken in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, that amounts to about a week in the war in Ukraine. If you are asking if Britain is on a war footing then you are on the money.
'We should remember that collectively the UK and its allies overmatch Russia significantly. While Ukraine has inflicted more than a million casualties on the largest armed forces in the world.'
Mr Rutte urged Nato states, such as Britain, to switch to a 'wartime mindset' and warned too many countries are 'quietly complacent'.
He did not say which members he was referring to but under Labour the UK has put off reaching the new Nato yardstick of spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence until later in the decade.
Military exercises involving all three services are also being scaled back.
Last night, Conservative Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois said: 'It's quite right to be concerned by the threat from Russia - which is very real.
'But why, then, is this Labour Government instituting an efficiency savings programme - spending cuts in pub English - of £2.6billion in the MoD's operating budget in this financial year alone?
'If this Government really believes in the growing possibility of war, they need to stop posturing and put their money where their mouth is.'
Last night Conservative Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois said: 'It's quite right to be concerned by the threat from Russia - which is very real.' Pictured: Vladimir Putin
Earlier this week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves came under pressure over defence cash when the head of the Royal Navy admitted the UK was struggling to deter Russia in the North Atlantic.
First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, pointed to a chronic shortage of submarines while Russia 'is investing billions' in its Northern Fleet.
This newspaper's Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign has called for military spending to increase to 3 per cent of GDP by the end of the decade to combat the global threats. This year it is expected to be 2.4 per cent.
Yesterday, Russia ramped up its rhetoric against Britain following the death of Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, in Ukraine on Tuesday.
The paratrooper was killed in an accident away from the front line, the Ministry of Defence said, while observing tests on a new defensive capability.
Maria Zakharova of Russia's foreign ministry warned that any foreign servicemen in Ukraine would be regarded as a 'legitimate target'.
Mr Carns suggested there could be significant developments in the conflict in Ukraine 'in the next two weeks'.
And Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday hinted at a major concession on one of the country's 'red lines' in talks over a peace deal.
For months, he has refused to consider any territorial sacrifice to Russia but, following a week of talks with Britain, America and others, he announced plans to hold a referendum on the issue.
The Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever is due in Downing Street today for talks that Sir Keir Starmer hopes will unlock billions of pounds of frozen Russian assets, with the money being handed to Kyiv for its military or for reconstruction.
No 10 last night stressed the UK's commitment to protecting national security.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'We've been clear for many months that Russia's war in Ukraine affects our national security.
'You've seen our uptick in defence spending. The national security of this country is the number one priority of this Government and any government.'
