U.K. adds Russia to ‘enhanced tier’ of threats identified under new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme
The U.K. has placed Russia in the “enhanced tier” of its new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which will require individuals and companies in Britain working on behalf of hostile foreign government entities to declare this connection. London had previously designated only Iran under this heightened risk category.
In an announcement on Tuesday, U.K. Minister of State Dan Jarvis said ongoing antagonisms from Moscow demonstrate the need for greater oversight and deterrence:
In recent years, its hostile acts have ranged from the use of a deadly nerve agent in Salisbury, espionage, arson, and cyber-attacks, including the targeting of U.K. parliamentarians through spear-phishing campaigns.
Jarvis described FIRS as a “fundamental component” of the National Security Act, which lawmakers passed in 2023. The new initiative will take effect on July 1, requiring government registration for any cooperation with Russian state bodies, armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, parliament, or political parties. Noncompliance risks “arrest and imprisonment,” Jarvis said in his statement.
At the time of this writing, the Russian authorities have not yet commented on the U.K.’s new policy.