Russia’s “undeclared war” with the West is already under way, an expert has warned, and failure to acknowledge this makes defeat “only a matter of time”.

Oleksandr Danylyuk, who specialises in Russian multidimensional warfare, said Moscow is “increasingly emphasising” it sees no prerequisites for a ceasefire and continues to increase weapons production.

Writing for think tank the Royal United Services Institute, Danylyuk said: “All these indicators point to the intensification of Russian efforts not only to militarily seize Ukraine, but also to destabilise and capture the West.

“Western leaders are stubbornly trying not to notice this, to some extent imitating the behaviour of their Ukrainian colleagues on the eve of the Russian invasion.”

Despite the fact Vladimir Putin has not declared war on the West, Danylyuk said it is well known to Russian citizens.

The country’s media, opinion leaders, civilian and military representatives have “repeatedly stated that Russia is waging war against NATO in Ukraine”, he said.

“Undoubtedly, Russia is not ready to go to war with the forces of a united Europe, but it has sufficient potential to take on individual, even relatively large, countries,” he added.

Danylyuk added: “Russia’s undeclared war against the West is already underway, and the stubborn refusal to acknowledge this fact by most Western leaders makes the West’s defeat only a matter of time.”