Sir Richard Dearlove has dismissed claims that Britain is in a 'pre-war phase' with Russia, and instead insisted that the UK is in an 'actual war' with the country

"I think we have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they're in a state of war with us," Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, told Sky News on Nov. 27.

Europe may already be at war with Russia, says a former British intelligence chief. Richard Dearlove, who led MI6 from 1999 to 2004, believes the conflict has expanded beyond Ukraine, according to Digi24.

Richard Dearlove, former MI6 head, has warned that the UK should consider its conflict with Russia as an "actual war." He highlighted the threat of Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare tactics, urging increased defense measures.