“We are in an era in which we face confrontation with those who are threatening our security. The most obvious and pressing example of this is Russia in its illegal war against a European neighbour,” the strategy outlines, via Birmingham Live. “Meanwhile, some adversaries are laying the foundations for future conflict, positioning themselves to move quickly to cause major disruption to our energy and or supply chains, to deter us from standing up to their aggression.”

The document delivers one of the starkest warnings yet about the UK’s vulnerability, stating: “For the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat, potentially in a wartime scenario.”

The warning coincides with mounting concerns of a more extensive world war, fuelled by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and rising