London’s police leadership has announced the formation of a new unit focused on countering threats believed to originate from Russia, China, and Iran. Reports in the press quote Matt Jewkes, the deputy chief constable responsible for special operations, describing the group as an investigative team created to address what the force views as a growing danger from foreign state activity. The move signals a strategic shift as authorities seek to consolidate resources to better monitor, investigate, and respond to potential espionage and interference schemes that cross traditional policing boundaries. [citation: London Police]
From the police perspective, this unit is designed to operate in close coordination with intelligence partners, sharing insights and coordinating investigations across jurisdictions. Jewkes noted that the overall workload tied to counterespionage and influence operations has risen sharply in the years since the Salisbury poisoning incident in 2018. The new unit will form part of a broader effort to identify, disrupt, and deter state-backed threats before they can affect national security or public safety. [citation: London Police]
Speaking about the Salisbury case, authorities allege that Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer, and his daughter Yulia were poisoned there in early March 2018, an incident that Kyiv and its allies have highlighted as evidence of state-sanctioned aggression. Moscow has consistently denied involvement in the attack, a stance reiterated by Russian officials in subsequent public statements. The incident remains a reference point in discussions of foreign influence operations and the perceived reach of state actors on Western soil. [citation: London Police]
Meanwhile, neighboring Baltic nations are reviewing security strategies along their eastern borders. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are discussing a practical defense spine that would enhance border resilience in the face of potential incursions. Initial plans include the deployment of reinforced fortifications and defensive structures, with Estonia signaling the construction of several bunkers that could accommodate multiple personnel. The overall project is expected to involve substantial funding and will be coordinated with regional allies and defense ministries. [citation: Baltic Security Brief]
In the Nordic region, Finland has previously stated that it does not see a concrete military threat from Russia at this time. Officials emphasize ongoing vigilance and ongoing engagement with partners to ensure rapid warning and response capabilities remain strong. The evolving landscape underscores a broader pattern: smaller, cooperative steps taken by frontline states to adapt to a changing security environment influenced by major power competition. [citation: Nordic Defense Update]