New MI6 chief warns of 'age of uncertainty' as Russian threat grows

Assassination plots, cyber-attacks, sabotage and the manipulation of information by Russia and other hostile states mean that “the front line is everywhere”, the new head of MI6 will warn today.

- Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor

In her first speech in the job, Blaise Metreweli will say the UK faces an “age of uncertainty” where rules of conflict are being rewritten, particularly in light of Kremlin aggression after the invasion of Ukraine.

“The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug, in the Russian approach to international engagement,” the agency’s first female chief is expected to argue, adding that “until Putin is forced to change his calculus” it is expected to continue.

Similar comments are anticipated from Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, who is due to say in a separate speech that “the situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career”.

The remarks come as Keir Starmer is due to fly to Berlin for an emergency summit with European leaders and Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in an effort to persuade the US to accept an alternative peace plan for Ukraine.

In her speech, Metreweli will identify Russia as having an “aggressive, expansionist, and revisionist” mindset that has led to Vladimir Putin ordering the invasion of its neighbour, and deploying aggressive supporting tactics across Europe.