UK Addresses Hybrid Threats in the OSCE Region: Key Insights and Statements

Thank you, Chair.

The United Kingdom has brought forth a significant issue to formally document the recent measures undertaken by the UK Government aimed at bolstering our response to the escalating hybrid threats we face.

The UK characterises state threats as actions, either overt or covert, executed by foreign governments that do not escalate to direct armed conflict yet exceed the bounds of acceptable diplomacy and statecraft. These actions pose risks to the safety and interests of the UK and our allies. Hybrid threats form a specific subset of these actions, typically characterised as covert, deniable, and sub-threshold, often employing multiple methods to fulfil their objectives.

New Legislative Measures to Address Threats

Recently, the UK introduced the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026, which grants the Home Secretary enhanced powers to designate entities acting on behalf of, or in the interests of, foreign states that engage in activities threatening UK security and the safety of our communities.

Entities linked to foreign states, including state organisations and associated groups involved in actions such as sabotage, espionage, and foreign interference, can now be designated under this new framework.

The designation carries significant implications; it renders it a criminal offence to support, assist, or derive material benefits from such designated bodies. This provision allows for designated proxy groups to be treated with the same seriousness as foreign intelligence services, thereby augmenting the capabilities of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies in disrupting and deterring hostile activities.

While the Act empowers the UK with new tools, it also incorporates robust safeguards to ensure that legitimate activities, including humanitarian efforts and journalism, are protected.

The initial entities designated under these powers include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps. Should Parliament approve this today, individuals engaging in foreign power threat activities on behalf of these organisations could face severe criminal repercussions, including life imprisonment for acts of sabotage.

Collaborative Cyber Sanctions Against Russia

In a further development, the UK and the EU recently enacted our inaugural joint cyber sanctions package. This initiative specifically targets the Russian state, including high-ranking officers of the GRU, as well as criminal networks and proxies closely linked to orchestrating hazardous cyber-attacks throughout Europe.

The sanctions package encompasses ten individuals who play a role in perpetuating Russia’s information warfare campaigns against Ukraine.

Additionally, the UK has lent its support to the attribution of a recent attempted cyber-attack on Poland’s energy infrastructure to Russia’s FSB Centre 16, an attack that, despite failing, could have left approximately 500,000 individuals without electricity during winter. Such actions exemplify the irresponsible and destabilising conduct of the Russian state.

In response to these actions, NATO has issued a statement from the North Atlantic Council, underscoring that the Alliance has further fortified its cyber posture by enhancing its framework to incorporate cyber considerations into its operations, missions, and activities.

Ongoing Commitment to Combat Hostile Activities

To date, the UK has imposed sanctions on over 3,400 targets associated with Russia’s military efforts and remains steadfast in collaborating with our allies to counter those perpetrating hostile activities on behalf of the Kremlin, which include spreading harmful misinformation and undermining democratic principles.

Mr Chair, the prevalence of hybrid threats is intensifying across our region. It is imperative that the OSCE elevates this issue on the political agenda. The UK is committed to working with our partners to enhance our resilience, effectively respond to hybrid threats, and confront malign behaviour, including within this Council.