Europe must prepare’: Minister warns Britain is on a war footing as Nato chief says conflict with Russia ‘at our door’. Read more ⤵️

Britain was told to prepare for armed conflict with Russia last night.

Armed Forces minister Al Carns said the country was on a ‘war footing’ and warned that the ‘shadow of war was at Europe’s door’.

His chilling message came as Mark Rutte, secretary general of the Nato alliance, said its members, including Britain, must prepare ‘for the scale of conflict our grandparents and great grandparents endured’.

But, amid the terrifying warnings, there were questions for the Government over defence spending.

In Berlin, Mr Rutte predicted that Europe is Vladimir Putin’s ‘next target’, adding: ‘We are already in harm’s way’.

His frightening reference to the two world wars experienced by previous generations came as Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines officer, said the UK had experienced a 50 per cent increase in Russian threats and attacks in the last year.

While the total number of incidents is strictly classified, it is, he admitted, ‘in the hundreds’.

Speaking at the launch of the UK’s Military Intelligence Services – intended to protect this country from Russian espionage and cyber threats – the minister said: ‘The shadow of war is knocking on Europe’s door and that war could be bigger and bloodier than what we have experienced in recent times.