UK Investigates 35% More Suspected Hostile State Actors
The United Kingdom has seen a significant rise in suspected espionage activity, with a 35% increase in the number of individuals investigated annually for potential links to hostile foreign governments, according to the head of MI5.
Speaking today, October 16, 2025, Ken McCallum, Director General of the UK’s domestic security service, stated that his teams are currently handling near-record volumes of investigations, signaling a “new era” of complex threats. He expressed sympathy for the victims of the recent attack on a Manchester synagogue, linking it to ISIS, and highlighted the “huge” scale of the overall terrorist threat, encompassing Islamist, extreme right-wing, and other ideologies. This increase in hostile activity underscores growing geopolitical tensions and the need for heightened vigilance.
McCallum identified Russia, China, and Iran as the primary state actors driving this increase in activity, which ranges from arson and attempted sabotage to detailed intelligence gathering targeting individuals. He noted that recent cases, such as the sentencing of Orlin Roussev and five others for spying on behalf of Russia in May, demonstrate the Kremlin’s continued efforts to exert influence within the UK. He also alluded to the use of “proxies” who may not be directly financially compensated by Russian intelligence. For more information on the dangers of espionage, see the FBI’s Counterintelligence page.
The MI5 Director General also warned about the potential for artificial intelligence to be exploited by both terrorists and hostile states, noting its use in propaganda, weapons research, and target reconnaissance. However, he cautioned against excessive alarmism, emphasizing that AI also offers benefits in threat detection. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre provides guidance on protecting against cyber threats.
Officials say MI5 will continue to prioritize investigations into state-sponsored threats and adapt to the evolving landscape of national security challenges.
