An Army spokesman said: "The British Army conducts regular reviews of potential scenarios in order to improve its readiness to both protect UK influence and protect our people." The report also recommended that soldiers were made more aware of manipulative online tactics used on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter and should leave electrical devices at home while on exercises. The publication, Insights to "Training Smarter" Against a Hybrid Adversary, concluded that one of Russia's goals in Ukraine was to practise "new methods of warfare as well as testing modern and prohibited weapons", the report said. It sets out how the UK could counter Russia's new hybrid strategy of electronic warfare, drones, propaganda and artillery. Gen Sir Richard Shirreff, Britain's former top officer in Nato, said: "What we get from successive governments has been that it is all fine and dandy and 'aren't we doing well'.
A leaked report reveals the UK is outgunned by Russia and that Nato is "struggling to catch up" with Russia's modern warfare, adding that the Russian technology is more advanced and its techniques could be "real game changers." This is in part due to the erosion of UK military capabilities since 2003. It also says Russia is sending drones over eastern Ukraine and is using technology to spread propaganda messages through vulnerable communities. This follows the launch in June of the biggest ever joint military exercise of Poland and Nato allies over security concerns regarding Russia.