Jeremy Wright QC said the UK will treat devastating cyber attacks in the same manner as traditional military efforts as part of a stark warning to the Kremlin.

He added: "Cyber operations that result in or present an imminent threat of death and destruction on an equivalent scale to an armed attack will give rise to an inherent right to take action in self-defence.

"If a hostile state interferes with the operation of one of our nuclear reactors, resulting in the widespread loss of life, the fact that the act is carried out by way of a cyber operation does not prevent it from being viewed as an unlawful use of force or an armed attack against us.

“States that are targeted by hostile cyber operations have the right to respond to those operations in accordance with the options lawfully available to them.”

As Russia sees itself accused of meddling in elections, the Attorney General said any cyber efforts seeking to manipulate electoral systems will be met with a response.

But he insisted such a move would most likely not be a military one and would seek to prevent the attack.

The Government is investing £1.9billion in cybersecurity, Mr Wright said in an effort to counter devious efforts in the technology space.