UK labels Russia, China, Iran 'hostile nations'
Western allegations against the east are escalating, with the United Kingdom accusing several states of "hostility."
British Minister of State for Security and Borders Damian Hinds included Russia, China, and Iran among "hostile nations" for alleged cyber activity concerns and disinformation campaigns on Sunday.
"The three countries that I mentioned to you have physical human capability. They have a big cyber presence. They're able to deploy at scale," he claimed in an interview with The Telegraph.
Hinds accused Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran of having spies on the ground, launching cyber-attacks, having soldiers on standby, and conducting disinformation campaigns.
Among the "hostile states" the British minister listed was North Korea as well.
Earlier this month, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said, "The provocative and groundless statements" by British Secret Intelligence Service chief Richard Moore on threats emanating from Russia have impeded any chances of a possible dialogue between London and Moscow.
Moore had said his country saw "serious threats" emanating from Russia, adding that London was going to make every effort to contain and deter the threats.
Russia has made it clear that it does not pose any threats to any country, underlining that Moscow is not planning any attacks, labeling any allegations of the sorts groundless.
Russia had previously stood up for Iran in the face of western allegations as well, calling the accusations against its missile program "mere speculations."
The West has long been launching a campaign of disinformation against Russia, saying Moscow was planning on invading Ukraine and cutting off its provision of Russian gas in the Yamal-Europe pipeline, both of which Russia denied.