UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines
UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that Russian submarines had carried out a “covert” mission near UK cables and pipelines. He stated that a British warship and aircraft were sent to counter the “malign” actions attributed to Moscow, with no damage reported to the country’s infrastructure in the Atlantic, he noted.
“We see your presence. We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences,” Healey remarked during a press conference at Downing Street.
He explained that Russia deployed an Akula-class submarine as a distraction while two Guggi vessels performed surveillance on the critical networks. When the first Akula submarine was tracked, it quickly retreated to Russian waters, leaving the two Gugi submarines to continue their operations.
The Royal Navy mobilized a Type 23 frigate, HMS St Albans, along with the RFA Tidespring and Merlin helicopters to monitor the trio of submarines. While Healey specifically named Norway as a participant in the tracking effort, other countries were also involved in the operation.
Healey emphasized that the UK’s armed forces made it clear the Russian submarines were under observation, with sonar buoys deployed to signal constant monitoring of their movements. “We watched them, we were able to track them, and we dropped sonar buoys to demonstrate that we were monitoring every hour of their operation,” he said.
UK’s reliance on undersea infrastructure
The nation depends heavily on its undersea cables and pipelines for data and energy. Over 60 cables, landing at key points along the UK coastline—especially in East Anglia and South West England—carry approximately 90% of daily internet traffic. Additionally, the UK utilizes a network of gas pipelines in the North Sea, including the 724-mile Langeled pipeline connecting Norway to the UK, which supplies about 77% of its gas imports.
Undersea cables and pipelines are vital global infrastructure, with over 600 such cables spanning 870,000 miles across oceans. These systems facilitate the transmission of electricity and information, often arriving at discreet locations along coasts and seabeds.
Hybrid warfare and strategic intent
According to BBC InDepth, Russia has been engaging in “hybrid warfare” against the UK and western Europe since 2025. This strategy aims to punish or deter Western nations from supporting Ukraine militarily. Hybrid warfare involves anonymous attacks that are deniable but not outright acts of war.
Healey argued that Russia remains the “primary threat to UK security,” highlighting its efforts to exploit global distractions, such as the Middle East conflict. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the UK’s ability to detect and counter any future covert operations that might jeopardize the country’s interests.
The Russian embassy previously claimed it had “no interest in British underwater communications,” but the latest incident suggests otherwise. Healey’s remarks underscore the strategic significance of monitoring such activities to safeguard critical national assets.
