Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent comparative assessment his Department has made of the levels of Russian military threat to UK interests (a) during 1979 to 1989 and (b) currently.

Defence continuously reviews and assesses the threat from Russia to the UK, including both its military capability and intent.

The threat now is most clearly demonstrated through Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its clear willingness to use military force in support of its objectives. Russia also poses a threat beyond Ukraine, including its continued development of military capabilities that can threaten the UK and our Allies, through to persistent hybrid activity including espionage, sabotage, cyber and information operations.