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UK Cyber War with Russia: Is This Peace, or Just a Pause?
In what is shaping up to be the most chilling assessment of the UK’s global standing in years, Fiona Hill—former US National Security Council adviser and respected voice in foreign affairs—has dropped a bombshell: Britain is already at war with Russia. Just not officially.
While missiles haven’t landed on London (yet), Hill argues that a quieter, more insidious war is well underway—fought with cyberattacks, disinformation, infrastructure sabotage, and proxy skirmishes. Speaking at a UK security symposium this week, she urged leaders to stop treating the threat as hypothetical.
“We need to stop sleepwalking through this,” Hill said. “Russia has weaponised everything from energy to information. And the UK? It’s in the crosshairs.”
Behind the scenes, officials are reportedly scrambling to translate this warning into action—but the question remains: are we already too late?
The Ghost of NATO Past
Hill’s starkest warning wasn’t just about Moscow—but Washington. According to her, the days of reliable US military backup may be over. With America deep in election chaos and foreign policy increasingly isolationist, Britain must prepare to stand more independently.
“We can’t depend on the US to rescue us,” she warned. “Not anymore.”
That’s more than just uncomfortable diplomacy—it’s a potential fracture in the post-WWII security order. If Britain can no longer count on the “special relationship,” then it must decide whether to pivot towards European allies, or truly forge a new solo path.
Signs of a Silent War
Hill pointed to a troubling pattern that the average citizen might miss entirely:
- Cyber warfare: NHS systems repeatedly targeted
- Spy games: Russian agents expelled from embassies across Europe
- Sabotage: Alleged foreign involvement in infrastructure failures (subsea cables, power grids)
- Disinfo campaigns: Attempts to undermine trust in elections, vaccines, and even local councils
To the public eye, it looks like random news blips. But stitched together, Hill says, it’s the blueprint of modern conflict. A war fought not in trenches, but in code, pixels and power outages.
“We Are Not Ready”
The UK military is respected—but overstretched. Army recruitment has faltered, equipment upgrades are behind schedule, and public awareness of these silent threats remains worryingly low.
Even more concerning, Hill noted, is the lack of long-term strategy. The country has been reactive—patching leaks instead of reinforcing the dam.
“Defence isn’t just tanks anymore,” Hill added. “It’s broadband networks, biotech, energy grids. And we’re not defending those.”
Resilience isn’t just about soldiers anymore—it’s about systems.
Time to Wake Up?
Her call wasn’t just a warning—it was a rallying cry. Hill believes the UK needs a new national resilience strategy for an era where war won’t start with an invasion, but with your lights going out and your bank app failing.
So what now?
- Invest in cyber and infrastructure defence
- Rebuild trust in international alliances beyond just the US
- Treat propaganda and AI-generated disinformation as national security risks
- Educate the public about hybrid warfare and resilience
This is a crossroads moment for Britain. Ignore the warnings, or prepare for a future where conflict is invisible—until it isn’t.
Newsfangled Explains: Which Fiona Hill Are We Talking About?
In case you’re wondering—yes, there are two prominent Fiona Hills in global politics, and no, they’re not the same person (though both have serious credentials and warnings and opinions about Russia).
Here’s how to tell them apart:
🇬🇧 Fiona Hill (British Political Adviser)
- Born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- Former Downing Street foreign policy adviser
- A leading voice in the UK’s strategic defence review
- Recently warned that Russia is “effectively at war” with the UK
- Advocates stronger national resilience, new defence thinking, and less reliance on the US
- Featured in this article
🇺🇸 Fiona Hill (American Foreign Policy Expert)
- Also British-born, but naturalised American
- Former Russia adviser to President Donald Trump
- Testified in Trump’s impeachment hearings
- Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution
- Well-known in US media and academic circles
- Often seen on CNN, MSNBC, and US panels
So while they share a name, their roles—and national affiliations—are quite different.
The Fiona Hill speaking out this week about Britain’s vulnerable position is the one with a direct hand in UK government policy.
Join the Conversation with Newsfangled
Do you agree with Fiona Hill? Is Britain prepared for the wars we can’t see?
Are we truly on our own, or should we still place our faith in traditional allies?