Security services on alert for Russian actions: “Our main concern was not the coronation, but Eurovision”

A unique combination of factors makes competition a prime target for hostile customers.

Britain’s security services are quietly relieved that King Charles III’s coronation took place without major incident – save for some accusations of heavy-handed policing. But the second big event this month is giving them an even bigger headache.

At first glance, the stakes associated with the grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest don’t seem particularly high. But this year’s contest will take place in the English city of Liverpool, where last year’s contest winner and rightful host nation Ukraine is battling an unprovoked invasion from its larger neighbor, Russia. For this reason, British security officials are more concerned than they might be with the comic music festival.

A senior British security source made it plain to CNN: “Our main concern was never the coronation, but Eurovision.”

A unique combination of factors makes competition a prime target for antagonists. On the other hand, there are thousands of people who enjoy the nightlife, which means potential targets for physical crime and organized crime. On the other hand, we have a very political competition at best, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine,” says the security source.

The main concern is to protect those attending the event from physical threats, although there is no reliable information that the event could have been the victim of a terrorist attack, according to Merseyside Police, who are responsible for the event.

However, what security sources and analysts believe is more likely to be an attempt by Russia to disrupt the competition in other ways, embarrass Britain and “pour out Ukraine’s eyes”.

Why does Russia want to disrupt a singing competition?

Russia takes Eurovision very seriously. Even before the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow saw Eurovision as a window through which to frame its culture war with Western Europe and its liberal values.

His foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, complained in 2013 about “stolen” votes. Petersburg MP Vitaly Milonov, an influential member of Vladimir Putin’s party, called the festival in 2014 “blatant propaganda of homosexuality and spiritual decay”.

Last year, Russia was barred from participating due to its invasion of Ukraine, which won the contest thanks to an outpouring of public solidarity. Great Britain came second, which is why it was chosen to host the competition on behalf of Ukraine.

Eurovision presents Russia with multiple opportunities to wreak havoc and turmoil.

First, the competition itself. The security source said that voting is done digitally, which means it could be vulnerable to cyberattacks and Russian agents casting fake votes.

Then there is the transmission itself. Eurovision is watched by millions of people around the world, making it an ideal target for those looking for a thriller, says Ian Wake, Chief Inspector of Preventive Security Operations at Merseyside Police. “This is a very, very good platform. If we are one issue group, if we have a specific ideology or a specific problem that we want to take on with someone or with a government, what better stage to present our arguments, put up posters and the like? You have the eyes of the world around you.” “.

Transmission disturbances can arise in other ways. Officials said cyberattacks or attempts to interfere with transmission could lead to transmission “hijacking” or power outages. There are also concerns that the infrastructure surrounding the festival – competition venues or social media – could be targeted for digital attacks, to cause disruption or spread misinformation.

If a protest does occur, it may not be directly related to Russia or Ukraine, but rather an attempt to shame the UK and undermine Western values ​​that Russia opposes.

Peter Ricketts, the former national security adviser to the British government, told CNN he could imagine incidents supported or instigated by Russia’s representatives that “gay rights are opposed or promoted by far-right groups in the UK,” undermining the idea of ​​Great Britain: Britain is a liberal country. It fuels discord and division over cultural issues.

At the top of Ricketts’ list of concerns, however, is a cyber threat, such as “taking control of the broadcast, causing a blackout or something else that disrupts procedures, which everyone knows came from Russia, but can be difficult to quickly map.”

Why might this help Russia?

This year’s event is, at its core, a partnership between the UK and Ukraine, two major thorns in the Kremlin’s side. Those in charge of security are well aware of this context and how much Russia wants to embarrass them both.

“This is having UK Lda. In the spotlight, they are doing their best and showing how we can run this event for Ukraine, on their behalf, the Ukrainian way,” says Wake. “It’s the largest televised non-sports event… If that’s not a restricted audience, I don’t know what is.”

It is also important to understand how Russia uses things like cyberattacks and propaganda against its enemies.

“Russia has a zero-sum view of security, so anything that harms the West is seen as a Russian gain,” says Keir Giles, senior advisor at Chatham House. “Look at the anti-vaccination propaganda they did before and during the pandemic. It probably hurts Russian citizens too, but if it hurts the West, it’s worth the risk.”

Giles also notes that although the risk of a physical act of terrorism is low, it cannot be completely ruled out: “It is an anomaly that Russia is not known to fund and support terrorist groups to cause death and destruction in the capitals of Europe. It is a cheap and effective way for Russia to inflict damage.” Obviously, a high-profile event like this, with links to Britain and Ukraine, would be a tempting target.”

Obviously, physical attack is the priority, although Wake claims that “there is no specific information regarding this event that indicates any form of terrorist threat.”

But the flow of people into a big city, congregating into places and forming long lines, is exactly the kind of soft target that terrorists tend to target.

Merseyside Police will deploy 5,500 officers to Liverpool in the run-up to the final on Saturday. There will be clear anti-terrorism measures such as armed officers and security fences. But Weekes also says that one of the best ways to keep the event safe is by raising awareness in the local community: “A few weeks ago, we launched the Watch campaign, with the goal of getting the community involved in the policing process and, ultimately, the public, our eyes and ears. And what better way than by promoting A security system around an event of this kind?”

To those unfamiliar, it may seem odd that a music festival created to promote peace in Europe after World War II would become a flashpoint. But Russia’s decades-long focus on asymmetric warfare has made an international television event with millions of domestic and personal viewers an ideal battleground for Russia in its fight against enemies it does not want – or does not want – to physically conquer.