Putin is preparing physical attacks on Western countries, according to the head of Britain's Center for Government Communication, Anna Kist-Butler, in comments to The Telegraph.

Since being appointed to head Britain's radio intelligence service last May, Kist-Butler has insisted that there is a real threat from the Kremlin.

Kist-Butler insisted that Moscow was "nurturing and inspiring" cybercriminal groups and "in some cases appears to be coordinating physical attacks against the West". She noted that the Russians now want to go beyond cyber attacks.