The United Kingdom is stepping up preparations for major national emergencies, urging households to maintain supplies of food and drinking water amid growing concerns over potential war, cyberattacks, extreme weather and other forms of disruption.
The preparedness campaign, reported by British media including the BBC, is part of a broader government effort to strengthen the country’s resilience during major emergencies. Officials have stressed that the guidance is not based on an assessment that war with Russia is imminent.
The British government is also working on an updated version of its so-called “war book,” a contingency-planning document designed to guide authorities during severe national emergencies.
The renewed focus on preparedness comes as several European governments increase their security planning amid concerns over Russia’s military activities and alleged hybrid operations.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told lawmakers that intelligence from NATO allies, Ukraine and Polish sources indicated that Russia could potentially use drones and missiles in hybrid attacks against countries supporting Ukraine.
Tusk warned that such attacks could be portrayed as accidents, potentially testing NATO’s response and its commitment to Article 5, which provides for collective defence among alliance members.
“There is a real risk that the territory of one or several NATO countries on the eastern flank may be entered by drones or other types of missiles,” Tusk said, according to reports.
He also argued that Russia was already conducting what he described as a hybrid war through alleged sabotage, drone activity and online disinformation.
The Polish leader said his country was not seeking a conflict but would respond if attacked.
Meanwhile, Germany has been reviewing its military and civil-defence preparations amid concerns about Russia and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
German authorities have been investigating suspected incidents involving infrastructure, while officials have increasingly focused on protecting electricity networks, communications systems, transportation links and other essential services.
The security concerns extend beyond conventional military attacks. European governments have increasingly highlighted cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation and disruption of energy and communications infrastructure as potential components of modern conflict.
Britain has also increased its contribution to NATO’s eastern-flank defence, including the deployment of Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft for air-defence missions alongside allied forces.
London continues to provide military assistance to Ukraine, including support involving Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Moscow has repeatedly criticised Western military assistance to Kyiv and warned countries supplying weapons to Ukraine against further involvement.
Concerns over possible Russian mobilisation have also added to the uncertainty. Western officials have reportedly examined whether Moscow could prepare for additional troop recruitment, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously warned that Russia could seek to expand its military manpower.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed speculation about another mobilisation as “nonsense.”
Other European countries have also strengthened civilian preparedness since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sweden has expanded its civil and military readiness, while Finland maintains a large trained reserve supported by a national conscription system.
For Britain, however, the immediate emphasis remains on resilience rather than predicting an imminent war.
The government’s advice encourages households to maintain basic supplies and consider how they would cope if essential services were temporarily disrupted by a major emergency, whether caused by conflict, cyberattacks, extreme weather or other events.
