The UK's largest intelligence agency, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), said nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have likely been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The estimate was revealed by GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler during her first public speech, where she outlined the growing threats facing the UK and its allies. Speaking from Bletchley Park, the historic World War II codebreaking site, Keast-Butler warned that Britain is at a moment of consequence as Russia continues relentlessly targeting key infrastructure and institutions.&nbsp;She accused the Kremlin of orchestrating espionage operations, sabotage efforts, and a broader undeclared ‘hybrid war’ against the UK and other NATO countries. While both Moscow and Kyiv have regularly estimated each other's battlefield losses, they have avoided publishing complete figures for their own casualties. Earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had lost 55,000 troops since the war started. BBC News Russian, together with independent outlet Mediazona and volunteer researchers, has been documenting confirmed Russian military deaths using official records, social media posts, obituaries, cemeteries, and memorial sites. The investigation has so far confirmed the identities of 223,539 Russian soldiers and officers killed in Ukraine.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/jill-biden-says-she-thought-joe-biden-was-having-a-stroke-during-2024-debate-against-donald-trump-1779918920819">Jill Biden says she thought Joe Biden was 'having a stroke' during 2024 debate against Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;During her speech, Keast-Butler said Russia was targeting critical infrastructure, democratic processes, supply chains, and public trust. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied those accusations. The GCHQ chief also warned that both Russia and China are rapidly expanding their space and military capabilities. She said GCHQ is working continuously to counter cyber attacks, as well as what she described as reckless sabotage and assassination attempts.&nbsp;"In the face of such aggression and chaos, GCHQ is working tirelessly with intelligence and defence partners to degrade and reduce the Russian threat," she added.Russia has previously been accused of high-profile attacks in the UK, including the 2006 killing of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who died after radioactive polonium poisoning in London. The Kremlin was also blamed for the 2018 attempted assassination of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in Salisbury using the nerve agent Novichok.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-bots-express-marxist-views-under-stress-tests-1779911135232/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-bots-express-marxist-views-under-stress-tests-1779911135232/embed</a>&nbsp;Since the start of the Ukraine war and Britain’s support for Kyiv, Moscow has faced accusations of conducting a broader ‘hybrid war’ against Western nations. "As we remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, Putin is going backwards on the battlefield," Keast-Butler said. Keast-Butler additionally warned about China's emergence as a major scientific and technological power with advanced cyber and intelligence capabilities. Addressing the rapid development of artificial intelligence, she said Britain and its allies face a shrinking window to maintain their technological advantage. "The ground beneath our feet is shifting, and shifting fast," she warned.

UK spy agency GCHQ estimates nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine and warns of rising cyber threats from Russia and China

The UK's largest intelligence agency, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), said nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have likely been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The estimate was revealed by GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler during her first public speech, where she outlined the growing threats facing the UK and its allies. Speaking from Bletchley Park, the historic World War II codebreaking site, Keast-Butler warned that Britain is at a moment of consequence as Russia continues relentlessly targeting key infrastructure and institutions. She accused the Kremlin of orchestrating espionage operations, sabotage efforts, and a broader undeclared ‘hybrid war’ against the UK and other NATO countries. While both Moscow and Kyiv have regularly estimated each other's battlefield losses, they have avoided publishing complete figures for their own casualties. Earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had lost 55,000 troops since the war started. BBC News Russian, together with independent outlet Mediazona and volunteer researchers, has been documenting confirmed Russian military deaths using official records, social media posts, obituaries, cemeteries, and memorial sites. The investigation has so far confirmed the identities of 223,539 Russian soldiers and officers killed in Ukraine. Also Read: Jill Biden says she thought Joe Biden was 'having a stroke' during 2024 debate against Donald Trump During her speech, Keast-Butler said Russia was targeting critical infrastructure, democratic processes, supply chains, and public trust. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied those accusations. The GCHQ chief also warned that both Russia and China are rapidly expanding their space and military capabilities. She said GCHQ is working continuously to counter cyber attacks, as well as what she described as reckless sabotage and assassination attempts. "In the face of such aggression and chaos, GCHQ is working tirelessly with intelligence and defence partners to degrade and reduce the Russian threat," she added. Russia has previously been accused of high-profile attacks in the UK, including the 2006 killing of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who died after radioactive polonium poisoning in London. The Kremlin was also blamed for the 2018 attempted assassination of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in Salisbury using the nerve agent Novichok. https://www.wionews.com/videos/ai-bots-express-marxist-views-under-stress-tests-1779911135232/embed Since the start of the Ukraine war and Britain’s support for Kyiv, Moscow has faced accusations of conducting a broader ‘hybrid war’ against Western nations. "As we remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, Putin is going backwards on the battlefield," Keast-Butler said. Keast-Butler additionally warned about China's emergence as a major scientific and technological power with advanced cyber and intelligence capabilities. Addressing the rapid development of artificial intelligence, she said Britain and its allies face a shrinking window to maintain their technological advantage. "The ground beneath our feet is shifting, and shifting fast," she warned.

Government Communications Headquarters says nearly 500,000 Russian troops may have died in the Ukraine war, as Britain warns of growing cyber and hybrid threats

Nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine war, says UK's spy agency

United Kingdom intelligence chief warns that China's use of technology is a threat to global security as Beijing wants to use new technologies to repress dissent at home and spread its influence across the world.&nbsp;

According to the extracts of Jeremy Fleming's scheduled speech, he thinks that China is using its financial and scientific muscle from digital currencies to satellite systems&nbsp;to manipulate technologies. Fleming is the head of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).&nbsp;

The excerpts released by his office stated: "They seek to secure their advantage through scale and through control. This means they see opportunities to control the Chinese people rather than looking for ways to support and unleash their citizens' potential."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heres-how-chinese-president-xi-jinping-amassed-power-over-a-decade-524034">Here's how Chinese President Xi Jinping amassed power over a decade</a>&nbsp;

"They see nations as either potential adversaries or potential client states, to be threatened, bribed, or coerced," the speech, which will be delivered by UK's spy chief on Tuesday in the annual security lecture at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, added.&nbsp;

Fleming will also say that China's "great strength combined with fear is driving China into actions that could represent a huge threat to us all" and will also include that Beijing's leadership was driven by a fear of their own citizens, "the whole open, democratic order and the international rules-based system."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: The Perils of Technology&nbsp;

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/china-successfully-launches-its-first-solar-observatory-523984">China successfully launches its first solar observatory</a>&nbsp;

This is not the first time China has faced such accusations as last year, Fleming said the&nbsp;West&nbsp;faced a battle&nbsp;to prevent China from controlling crucial developing technologies like genetics, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

In his speech, Fleming will also talk about technologies where he says China is seeking to gain leverage. For example development of a centralised, digital currency to allow it to monitor the transactions of users, etc.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, China denies such accusations stating them to be groundless and politically motivated smears.&nbsp;

Fleming on China's plans to hamper&nbsp;satellites

The UK spy chief will also point to Beidou, which is China's answer to the US-owned GPS navigation system. He will say: "Many believe that China is building a powerful anti-satellite capability, with a doctrine of denying other nations access to space in the event of a conflict. And there are fears the technology could be used to track individuals."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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United Kingdom intelligence chief warns that China's use of technology is a threat to global security as Beijing wants to use new technologies to repress dissent at home and spread its influence across the world.

United Kingdom intelligence chief warns that China's use of technology is a threat to global security as Beijing wants to use new technologies to repress dissent at home and spread its influence across the world. According to the extracts of Jeremy Fleming's scheduled speech, he thinks that China is using its financial and scientific muscle from digital currencies to satellite systems to manipulate technologies. Fleming is the head of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). The excerpts released by his office stated: "They seek to secure their advantage through scale and through control. This means they see opportunities to control the Chinese people rather than looking for ways to support and unleash their citizens' potential." ALSO READ | Here's how Chinese President Xi Jinping amassed power over a decade "They see nations as either potential adversaries or potential client states, to be threatened, bribed, or coerced," the speech, which will be delivered by UK's spy chief on Tuesday in the annual security lecture at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, added. Fleming will also say that China's "great strength combined with fear is driving China into actions that could represent a huge threat to us all" and will also include that Beijing's leadership was driven by a fear of their own citizens, "the whole open, democratic order and the international rules-based system." WATCH | Gravitas: The Perils of Technology × ALSO READ | China successfully launches its first solar observatory This is not the first time China has faced such accusations as last year, Fleming said the West faced a battle to prevent China from controlling crucial developing technologies like genetics, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. In his speech, Fleming will also talk about technologies where he says China is seeking to gain leverage. For example development of a centralised, digital currency to allow it to monitor the transactions of users, etc. Meanwhile, China denies such accusations stating them to be groundless and politically motivated smears. Fleming on China's plans to hamper satellites The UK spy chief will also point to Beidou, which is China's answer to the US-owned GPS navigation system. He will say: "Many believe that China is building a powerful anti-satellite capability, with a doctrine of denying other nations access to space in the event of a conflict. And there are fears the technology could be used to track individuals." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China's use of technology is a threat to global security, warns UK spy chief

Secret headquarters of world's most sophisticated spy services revealed