UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines
UK Condemns Russian Submarine Activity Near Critical Infrastructure
Defence Secretary John Healey has accused Russia of orchestrating a covert operation targeting undersea cables and energy pipelines in the Atlantic waters off the UK. The British military, including a warship and aircraft, was deployed to counter Moscow’s efforts, with no damage reported to the country’s infrastructure, he stated.
Healey emphasized that the UK had “no doubt” about the Russian submarines’ movements, noting that their actions were exposed through monitoring and tracking. The operation involved an Akula class submarine acting as a distraction, while two Guggi vessels conducted surveillance on the cables, according to the official.
“We see you. 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 said during a Downing Street press conference.
Undersea cables and pipelines are essential for the UK’s data and energy systems. Approximately 60 of these cables connect the nation to the global network, landing primarily in East Anglia and South West England. Over 90% of daily internet traffic in the UK passes through them, highlighting their strategic importance.
The Royal Navy used a Type 23 frigate, HMS St Albans, alongside the RFA Tidespring and Merlin helicopters to follow the three Russian submarines. While Healey specifically named Norway, other countries also contributed to tracking the activity.
Healey claimed Russia aimed to exploit global attention on the Middle East conflict to escalate its “hybrid warfare” against the UK and Western Europe. This strategy targets Western nations’ support for Ukraine through anonymous, deniable attacks. The UK remains vulnerable to such efforts, as it depends on underwater gas pipelines in the North Sea, particularly the 724-mile Langeled link between Norway and the UK.
About 77% of the UK’s gas imports originate from Norway via these submerged pipelines, underscoring the nation’s reliance on cross-border energy networks. The BBC InDepth report revealed Russia’s hybrid warfare campaign in 2025, focusing on disrupting or deterring Western military aid to Ukraine.
“The Russian embassy has previously said it was ‘not interested in British underwater communications,’ but the recent activity suggests otherwise,” Healey noted, underscoring Moscow’s ongoing threat to UK security.
