Britons should urgently begin stockpiling food, water, and essential supplies to prepare for a potential Russian “grey-zone” attack, a former defence minister has warned.
Tobias Ellwood MP, a former Army officer and ex-chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, issued a stark warning that every household in the UK must be ready to function independently for at least 72 hours in the event of a coordinated Russian cyber or infrastructure attack.
He warned that Vladimir Putin’s regime could seek to paralyse the country without using traditional military force by targeting the UK’s electricity, water, gas, and communications systems.
“This isn’t speculation,” said Mr Ellwood. “Russia’s ambassador to the UK recently acknowledged that sensors had been placed in British waters, after several devices washed ashore. The Royal Navy is responding, but this fight doesn’t begin and end with the military. It’s time we prepare ourselves too.”
Writing in House Magazine, Mr Ellwood outlined the minimum supplies UK households should begin stockpiling now:
- 100 litres of clean drinking water
- Non-perishable food that can be consumed without heating
- Candles and torches with spare batteries
- A battery-powered radio to receive updates in a power blackout
- Iodine tablets in case of a nuclear incident
- Cash, in case card payments and ATMs are disabled
- A basic first aid kit
He described the type of threat facing the UK as a “grey-zone” conflict — hybrid warfare designed to destabilise a country without firing a single bullet. This may include widespread cyberattacks, the disabling of satellite communications, or the disruption of supply chains and energy systems.
“Could you and your family stay safe, warm and informed for three days without power, water or internet?” he asked, challenging households to take preparedness seriously.
Growing Security Concerns Across Europe
The call for public readiness comes amid growing concern across Europe about Russia’s covert and cyber capabilities. NATO allies including Germany, France, and Poland are stepping up domestic resilience efforts. Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Finland are already known for extensive civil defence planning, including national guidance on household emergency kits.
Poland recently announced the reintroduction of national service, and Mr Ellwood has urged the UK to adopt a similar mindset.
“The UK must match that mindset,” he said. “This is a new kind of threat – and it demands a new kind of resilience. One that includes all of us.”
Government Response and Preparedness
While the UK government has yet to issue official household guidance, the Ministry of Defence has increased maritime surveillance and is investing in underwater threat detection, including unmanned submersibles.
In the meantime, Mr Ellwood’s warning has sparked debate across social media and political circles, with some praising his candour and others questioning whether the government should be issuing more formal instructions to the public.
Call to Action
The message is clear: while military and intelligence services work to defend against state-level threats, individuals and families are being urged to take responsibility for their own short-term resilience.
“Being prepared is not panic — it’s practical,” Mr Ellwood concluded.
