The heads of the British and American foreign intelligence agencies commended Ukraine's surprise military incursion into Russia on Saturday, marking it as a key
achievement in the ongoing conflict. The operation, carried out in Russia's Kursk region, was seen as a bold move that could alter the trajectory of the 2.5-year war. Both Richard Moore, head of MI6, and CIA Director William Burns, called on Kyiv's allies to remain resolute and not be swayed by Russia's threats of escalation.
Speaking at a joint public event in London, Moore praised Ukraine's August offensive, describing it as “audacious and bold” in its efforts to seize 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. He noted that the attack had “brought the war home to ordinary Russians.”
Burns echoed these sentiments, calling the offensive a “significant tactical achievement” that exposed weaknesses in Russia’s military. Despite the success, Burns acknowledged that it remains to be seen if Ukraine can convert these gains into a lasting advantage, as Russia's focus remains on eastern Ukraine, where its forces are pushing towards the city of Pokrovsk.
Ukraine has repeatedly sought permission from Western allies to use supplied missiles for deeper strikes within Russian territory, a move supported by some nations like Britain, but approached with caution by others, including the U.S. and Germany. President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use American-provided missiles in self-defense, but the strikes have been limited to targets close to the Russian border to avoid escalating the conflict further.
Burns also touched on the risk of escalation, referencing a tense moment in late 2022 when the use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia became a “genuine risk.” He emphasized that the West must remain vigilant about these threats but avoid being “unnecessarily intimidated.”
The discussion also covered growing concerns over the defense partnership between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Burns warned that this alliance could pose significant threats not only to Ukraine but also to Western interests in the Middle East. While North Korea has provided Russia with ammunition and missiles for the Ukraine conflict, and Iran has sent attack drones, Burns noted that there is no evidence yet of China sending weapons to Russia, though cooperation between Moscow and Beijing has increased.
Burns and Moore's comments came shortly before the two intelligence leaders called for a cease-fire in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. In an opinion piece for the Financial Times, they revealed their agencies have been actively working to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Burns, who has played a key role in efforts to broker peace, has been working on proposals for a temporary halt to the conflict. While U.S. officials indicate that a deal is close, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed reports of an imminent breakthrough as inaccurate.
During their appearance, Burns acknowledged that resolving the conflict would require “hard choices and difficult compromises” from both Israel and Hamas. However, with only 10% of the text of a potential agreement yet to be finalized, he acknowledged that this final portion remains the most challenging to negotiate.
The intelligence chiefs' statements came ahead of a week filled with trans-Atlantic diplomacy, including meetings between U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit London for further talks on issues such as Ukraine, Gaza, and China.
In a jointly written article, Burns and Moore underscored the strength of the U.S.-U.K. alliance amidst an "unprecedented array of threats" posed by assertive powers like Russia and China, as well as the ongoing threat of international terrorism. They also highlighted Russia’s use of sabotage and disinformation to destabilize Europe and drive divisions among Western allies.
Moore commented on the increasingly reckless behavior of Russia’s intelligence services, saying they have “gone a bit feral,” engaging in dangerous activities that threaten global stability. Photo by President.gov.ua, Wikimedia commons.