EPA•GETTY Fallon has issued a chilling warning to Putin about cyber warfare

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Fallon said during a speech at the University of St Andrews: “Today we see a country that in weaponising misinformation has created what we might now see as the post-truth age.” He added: “Russia is clearly testing NATO and the West. It is seeking to expand its sphere of influence, destabilise countries and weaken the alliance.”

GETTY Sir Michael Fallon issued a warning to Russia at St Andrews University.

The senior Tory claimed Russian hackers are targeting upcoming European elections in Germany, France, Holland, Montenegro and Bulgaria while manoeuvring itself as a “strategic competitor” to the West. In a “persistent pattern of behaviour” Sir Michael highlighted recent cyber attacks that have been attributed to Russia.

We see a country that in weaponising misinformation has created what we might now see as the post-truth age Sir Michael Fallon

In 2015, the German parliaments network was shut down, while the French channel TV5 Monde was taken off air. Both countries intelligence services have pointed the finger at Putin. But he warned there had been a “step change” as attacks mounted in 2016. Cyber attacks are a major problem and the West needs to “call out” the messengers of “Soviet-style misinformation” like Sputnik news and RT.

Defence Secretary visits UK nuclear submarine Fri, January 22, 2016 Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visits HMS Vigilant, one of the UK's four nuclear warhead-carrying submarines at Royal Navy’s Faslane nuclear base on the Clyde. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 17 Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visits HMS Vigilant at HM Naval Base Clyde, also known as Faslane in Scotland

The claims come in the wake of Trumps election campaign comments that Nato is obsolete. Fallon added: “Nato must defend itself as effectively in the cyber sphere as it does in the air, on land, and at sea. So adversaries know there is a price to pay if they use cyber weapons.” The speech comes after MPS, last Thursday, publicly savaged the Government’s ability to protect Britain from cyber attacks due to skills shortages and a severe lack of organisation.

GETTY Britain has ramped up its cyber warfare budget