Vladimir Putin's spies have launched a 'campaign' of cyber attacks and espionage against Britain in a bid to destabilise the West.

Whitehall officials believe Russia to be undertaking a programme of misinformation and unconventional warfare in an effort to undermine the UK.

Prime Minister Theresa May is due to chair a National Security Council summit in the near future as Government officials consider a plan of action in response to Moscow.

According to The Times, the increasing threat from the Kremlin was first discussed by the Cabinet Office in October.

Scroll down for video

Vladimir Putin's spies have launched a 'campaign' of cyber attacks and espionage against Britain, with Theresa May due to chair a National Security Council summit in response

Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia next year as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War

A source told the newspaper: 'There was an agreement on the need to do more across Whitehall to understand and assess and formulate options on how to respond to Russian activities.'

It is feared Russian tactics may include the discrediting of British troops due to be deployed in Estonia next year through sham pub brawls and traffic accidents.

Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War.

It comes after Barack Obama publicly challenged Russia following reports that November's general election was hacked under President Putin's watch.

It comes after Barack Obama publicly challenged Russia following reports that November's general election was hacked under President Putin's watch

The increasing threat from the Kremlin was first discussed by the Cabinet Office in October

The outgoing President promised the US would retaliate to the suspected espionage, adding: 'Don't do this stuff to us, because we can do this to you.'

The current global climate and rise in unconventional warfare tactics saw the head of the British armed forces call for increased efforts to flush out spies.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach also warned that Britain should be 'really worried' that the international consensus-based approach to peace and security, developed after the Second World War, was now challenged by states such as Russia.

A 'full-spectrum' response is required - integrating diplomacy, the military, economic influence, technology and the media, and 'closer attention' to counter-espionage and counter intelligence, he said.

He added that Britain is in a 'strategic state-on-state era of competition' which requires us to 'wonder and worry' about the response to propaganda, hybrid warfare and cyber attacks.

Concerns remain that Moscow influenced the United States presidential election won by Donald Trump by allegedly hacking email accounts linked to his rival Hillary Clinton

Yaroslav Mudry (rear) was encountered by the HMS Sutherland (front) at the entrance to the English Channel

His comments follow the Russian incursion in Ukraine and worries that Moscow influenced the United States presidential election won by Donald Trump by allegedly hacking email accounts linked to his rival Hillary Clinton.

'Russian communications through Russia Today and many other media forms are very before us in many parts of the world,' he said.

'Many people have alleged political subversion, propaganda rather than information.

'And there's no doubt, it's not a secret, that Russia is using cyber as a part of this power.

'This is in direct competition with our approach to sustain the rules-based order.'

On Friday, a Russian warship was escorted by the Royal Navy for the second time in a fortnight.

Yaroslav Mudry was encountered by Navy frigate HMS Sutherland at the English Channel entrance.

She was monitored while sailing through UK waters as diplomatic tensions rise between Moscow and London.

The Yaroslav Mudry had recently been operating in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.

She then sailed across to the Caribbean to visit Cuba and Trinidad.

HMS Sutherland and a Merlin helicopter joined French and Dutch warships in following the Yaroslav Mudry.