The issue of Russian spies in the UK is also tied to broader geopolitical tensions. The Cold War left a legacy of mistrust, and in the modern era, as Russia tries to reassert its influence globally, the UK, as a key Western ally, is seen as a target for intelligence - gathering. There are often concerns about cyber - espionage as well, with the UK believing that Russian operatives may be trying to hack into government and corporate systems to steal sensitive information.