False Flag | The Wargame Ep 1

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In this final episode, discover what happens as the threat from Russia returns and the UK attempts to rearm. Join us for The Wargame: Decoded on January 29th in London. -Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you?  The Wargame from Sky News and Tortoise imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country.  Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes. -Come to “The Wargame: Decoded” - our live event in January 2026.  It will put you in the mind of the people who took part. Deborah Haynes and some of our participants, including Sir Ben Wallace, Amber Rudd and Jack Straw, will talk through the decisions they made, the pressures they felt - and there’s chance to experience some of the key moments of the Game for yourself. How would the UK respond in a crisis? And how prepared are we? Join us for The Wargame: Decoded on January 29th in London. 

So, how has the UK been left so poorly defended? Candid interviews with almost every real-life defence secretary since the end of the Cold War reveal all. Join us for The Wargame: Decoded on January 29th in London.   -Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you?  The Wargame from Sky News and Tortoise imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country.  Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes. -Come to “The Wargame: Decoded” - our live event in January 2026.  It will put you in the mind of the people who took part. Deborah Haynes and some of our participants, including Sir Ben Wallace, Amber Rudd and Jack Straw, will talk through the decisions they made, the pressures they felt - and there’s chance to experience some of the key moments of the Game for yourself. How would the UK respond in a crisis? And how prepared are we? Join us for The Wargame: Decoded on January 29th in London.  

Hostilities worsen despite attempts to broker a ceasefire. What happens next requires difficult decisions and hard choices.  -Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you? A major five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise which imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country. Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes.

A city is on fire. The UK fights back. Russia and Britain both have nuclear weapons. Will either country use them?  -Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you? A major five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise which imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country. Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes. 

The Prime Minister must address the nation. Meanwhile his ministers and officials do their best to deal with a crisis the UK hasn’t seriously prepared for in a generation. -Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you? A major five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise which imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country. Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes. 

Hostilities with Russia erupt into an unprecedented attack. The Prime Minister and his team scramble to respond. Will the UK’s allies choose to help them? -Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you? A major five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise which imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country. Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes. 

Tensions with Russia escalate, and an imaginary week in the near future takes a turn for the unexpected. The Prime Minister calls an emergency Cobra meeting.-Russia knows our weaknesses. But do you? A major five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise which imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country. Written and presented by Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes.

A bunker. A scenario. A group of former senior ministers, military chiefs and other experts. Russia knows our weaknesses – but do you?   Sky News' security and defence editor Deborah Haynes presents The Wargame – a major new five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise, set in the near future. Launching 10th June.

In this final episode, we have the first ever interview with serving MI5 officers who work in counter intelligence.Tom and Kate talk about the challenge of grey zone threats from Russia and reveal their shock at the Salisbury spy poisonings.They also reveal that the Security Service has bolstered protection for people in the UK deemed at risk from Russia and is doing “everything we can” to prevent another Salisbury-style attack, but there are no “absolute guarantees” – in the grey zone.Guests:Tom, senior MI5 intelligence officer working on RussiaKate, MI5 intelligence officer investigating the activities of Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRULord Mark Sedwill, former UK national security adviserDominic Grieve, former senior Conservative MP, former chair of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, former attorney generalCredits:Written and narrated by Deborah Haynes Edited and produced by Chris ScottProduction support from Sophia McBide and Michael GreenfieldThe Head of Sky News Radio is Dave Terris