VLADIMIR Putin’s reckless behaviour including assassinations and cyber-attacks could trigger a world war, Britain’s military chief has warned.

General Sir Nick Carter said actions of the Kremlin "easily lead to inadvertent miscalculation" and dramatically increase the chance of conflict.

3 Vladimir Putin's lack of respect for international law could trigger conflict, Sir Nick Carter has warned Credit: AFP

3 Sir Nick, pictured, said cyber-attacks and assassinations could inadvertently lead to war Credit: PA:Press Association

Sir Nick, who is the Chief of the Defence Staff, said the threats to peace were growing due to the ambitions of certain states and the actions of groups including the so-called Islamic State.

In an article for The Sunday Telegraph Sir Nick wrote: “Our competitors have become masters at exploiting the seams between peace and war.”

Earlier this year the so-called Doomsday Clock was kept on its perilous two minutes to midnight setting amid fears a "perfect storm" of events could trigger a nuclear war.

Sir Nick pointed to the actions of state-owned Russian companies to spread disinformation in Africa via Facebook and Moscow's expanding media presence on the continent.

Actions by Russia, as well as China and Iran, that could trigger conflict include cyber-attacks, assassination, fake news, propaganda, soldiers in unmarked uniforms and deniable private military and security companies.

Along with “old-fashioned military intimidation” these are “all examples of a new age of alternative 'weapons' used to gain advantage, sow discord, undermine our political cohesion and insidiously destroy our way of life”.

'MISCALCULATION'

"Now I am not suggesting that our opponents want to go to war in the traditional definition of the term, but reckless behaviour and the lack of respect for international law relating to these new types of 'weapons' risks escalation that could easily lead to inadvertent miscalculation," he wrote.

Remembrance Day was a prime opportunity to reflect on shared values but also to consider how the Armed Forces can work with private industry on technological advancements that protect Britain, he added.

The UK has accused Russia of being behind the murder of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko.

The Kremlin has also been fingered for the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal, another former KGB officer, and his daughter Yulia, using the nerve agent Novichok.

A 44-year-old woman, Dawn Sturgess, died after her and her partner were caught up in the attack.

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In September Prime Minister Boris Johnson held talks with Sir Nick and other British military chiefs after Chancellor Sajid Javid had announced £2.2 billion extra for the Ministry of Defence at the spending round.

MPs have repeatedly pressed the Government to increase defence spending.

It recently emerged the Royal Navy has tripled its interceptions of Russian warships in UK waters.

British ships headed out 31 times last year to track Moscow’s vessels but just 11 times in 2014.

3 The Doomsday Clock is at two-minutes to midnight amid fears of a nuclear war Credit: Getty - Contributor