Russia's horror WW3 threat to UK - 'Missile attacks and civilian fatalities'

The dossier is reportedly being updated for the first time since 2005 amid high tensions with Russia (Image: Getty)

A Government risk assessment has found an attack by Russia on the UK would likely result in the death of civilians, reports say. Britain is said to be overhauling 20-year-old defence preparations amid growing concerns over the threat posed by Russia, with ministers worried the UK is not ready for war on home soil.

The “homeland defence plan” dossier is being updated to set out what should happen in the days following a strike on the UK mainland by a hostile foreign state, The Telegraph reports. The classified review is reportedly being led by the Cabinet Office and includes different attack scenarios. One that’s already been modelled involves simultaneous cyber attacks and missile strikes on British infrastructure.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed increases to defence spending as tensions rise (Image: Getty)

A risk assessment reportedly published in January said such an attack was "likely to result in civilian fatalities as well as members of the emergency services”.

It also warned of "serious economic damage and disruption to essential services".

The reported review of the plan underlines concerns over the dangers posed by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

The Kremlin has made repeated threats over the UK’s support for Ukraine as peace talks over the war continue to make slow progress.

Ministers are said to be concerned over Britain’s readiness for conflict at home, while also being outgunned by Russia and its allies.

Experts have warned British towns and cities would be unprotected against Russian missile attacks under current defence plans and calls have been increasing for the UK to replicate Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system.

The updated plan is set to address cyber warfare for the first time with Russia ramping up cyber attacks since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to The Telegraph.

It was last updated in 2005 when Russia lacked the capability to strike the UK mainland with conventional weapons and when cyber warfare was less prevalent.

The document will direct ministers on how to run a wartime government, with Britain divided into 12 zones each controlled by a minister, senior military official, judge and chief constable with sweeping emergency powers.

It also includes details around evacuating members of the Royal Family, public service broadcasts and stockpiling of food.

The plans are said to be based on the War Book, a secret Cold War dossier of instructions on how the country should respond to a nuclear attack, which were recently released by the National Archives.