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Russia: Subversion

Asked by Graeme DownieLabourMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 7 July 2026UIN 15616

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, is he will define the meaning of "sub threshold" in relation to Russian threats and offensive action against UK people and interests.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

Recent publications, including the House of Common’s Defence Committee ‘Defence in the Grey Zone’ report and the Strategic Defence Review, highlight the breadth and depth of threats posed by sub-threshold activity. Russia remains the most pressing and immediate threat in this space, conducting malign sub-threshold activities which actively threaten the UK and our allies.

States who operate in this way below the threshold of armed conflict are seeking to exploit every potential weakness in our societies and alliances to gain an advantage.

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