UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines

UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines

Defence Secretary warns of Moscow’s “malign” activity near critical infrastructure

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that Russian submarines operated in the North Sea region, targeting undersea cables and pipelines. He stated that a British warship and aircraft were deployed to counter the activity, with no damage reported to UK infrastructure in the Atlantic. The mission aimed to deter Moscow’s attempts to interfere with vital systems.

“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 press conference at Downing Street.

The UK relies heavily on its undersea cables for data transmission and energy supply. Over 60 cables come ashore at multiple locations along the UK coastline, particularly in East Anglia and South West England. Approximately 90% of the nation’s internet traffic travels through these cables, highlighting their strategic importance.

Healey revealed that Russia employed an Akula-class submarine as a distraction while two Guggi-class vessels carried out surveillance. The first Akula left UK waters shortly after being tracked, but the two Guggi submarines remained active. The Royal Navy deployed HMS St Albans, RFA Tidespring, and Merlin helicopters to monitor all three vessels.

Other countries, including Norway, contributed to tracking the Russian activity. Healey emphasized that the British forces demonstrated their vigilance, deploying sonar buoys to show continuous monitoring. “Our armed forces left [Russia] in no doubt that they were being observed, their movements exposed, and their secret operation identified,” he added.

Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy revealed

According to BBC InDepth, Russia has been engaging in “hybrid warfare” against the UK and western Europe since 2025. This approach includes anonymous attacks designed to punish or deter Western support for Ukraine, without directly attributing them to Moscow. The Russian embassy previously denied interest in UK underwater communications.

Undersea cables and pipelines are global critical infrastructure, spanning over 870,000 miles (1.4 million km) with more than 600 cables connecting continents. The UK also depends on gas pipelines in the North Sea, such as the 724-mile Langeled pipeline, which delivers energy from Norwegian and UK continental shelves. About 77% of the UK’s gas imports arrive via these routes.

Healey noted that Russia continues to pose a “primary threat” to UK security, capitalizing on global attention focused on conflicts in the Middle East. Despite this, he expressed confidence in the UK’s ability to detect and respond to future operations, ensuring the protection of essential interests.