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Russia is targeting Micheál Martin, the tanaiste, through official channels over his plan to review Ireland’s national security policy, leading to concerns that Moscow may use hybrid tactics to undermine the government and state.

Hostilities worsened yesterday when the Russian embassy openly attacked Martin for supporting Irish people who travel to Ukraine to fight.

Moscow’s initial frustration with Martin is understood to be prompted by his decision to set up the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy, which is due to take place in June.

It is expected to result in a significant policy shift on Irish security and defence, though the state will continue to remain neutral.

The threat posed by Russia is expected to dominate the forum as the nation is now considered by the military and security services to pose a significant risk to Ireland’s security interests.

“Russia is actively engaged in espionage on Irish soil and sowing dissent by supporting fringe political organisations that support terrorism and rightwing extremism,” military sources told The Sunday Times. “Russia’s security services have increased their activities in Ireland, including collecting intelligence, and are targeting government agencies and state institutions through espionage.”

Martin, the minister for foreign affairs and defence, has already drawn Moscow’s ire more than any other politician. He oversaw the expulsion of four Russian diplomats last year on the basis that their activities were not in accordance with the international standards of diplomatic behaviour.

Among those expelled were Colonel Igor Molyanov, a Russian defence attaché who stood accused of participation in disinformation campaigns designed to undermine public confidence in the government and the Defence Forces.

Sergey Prokopiev, a Russian GRU military intelligence officer involved in clandestine activities while working as a counsellor at the federation’s embassy, was also asked to leave the state by the Department of Foreign Affairs on the advice of the military and garda intelligence.

Martin is said to have pressed for the expulsions on the grounds that Ireland needed to be seen to take a proactive stance on the nefarious activities of Russian intelligence on Irish soil but also be seen to support Ukraine.

In response, Russia has become more vocal and assertive in its criticisms of Irish foreign policy.

Tensions rose again yesterday after Martin paid tribute to Finbar Cafferkey, a political activist from Co Mayo, who was killed in action in Ukraine last week.

In a social media post the Russian embassy said it did not know if Martin’s remarks signified support for Irish nationals who chose to take part in the war but if this were the case then Ireland would be a direct participant in the conflict with all the ensuing consequences.

The statement, interpreted as nothing more than Russian hubris by analysts, prompted calls for the expulsion of Yuriy Filatov, the Russian ambassador to Ireland, who has become a vocal critic of Irish foreign policy since the invasion.

The Department of Foreign Affairs was forced to issue a statement confirming Ireland’s support for Ukraine but reaffirmed the state’s policy of maintaining diplomatic relations with the Kremlin.

It described the embassy’s post as “disinformation”.

It followed yet another comment by Martin who used parliamentary privilege to suggest Russian involvement in promoting a story about Niall Collins, the Fianna Fail junior minister who has faced criticism over his alleged involvement in his wife’s bid to buy Limerick council land.

Martin’s allegations were denied by both The Ditch and the Russian embassy, which denied any involvement in the website.

It is unclear whether Martin’s comments reflect official government policy or constitute his personal views. The comments were not based on any security briefing he received, according to multiple sources.

Relations between Ireland and Moscow collapsed in 2016 when the government was forced to introduce emergency legislation to revoke planning permission granted to the Russian Federation to expand its embassy in Dublin on the grounds it posed a threat to national security.

The Sunday Times was unable to reach the Russian embassy for comment.