Russian ships off the coast of Great Britain. Were they hunting for cables and pipelines?

The British military detected in British waters and tracked for a month three Russian submarines that posed a threat to undersea cables and pipelines, British Defense Secretary John Healey said on Thursday. The units have already left British waters and headed north.

“While many people's attention has been focused on the Middle East, the UK – along with Norway and other allies – has responded to increased Russian activity in the North Atlantic,” Healey said at a news conference. He added that an AKULA-class submarine and two underwater units of the Main Directorate of Underwater Research of the Russian Ministry of Defense (GUGI) were spotted near the cables.

The operation took place “in and around British waters,” he said.

– Our armed forces made it clear to them that they were being monitored (…) and that their attempted secret operation was thwarted – assured the minister. He added that there was no evidence of any damage. According to him, Russian leader Vladimir Putin hoped that the ongoing war in Iran would distract attention from the espionage activities of submarines.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured that the UK would expose any Russian destabilizing activities. “Our armed forces are among the best in the world and the British public should have no doubt that this government will do whatever it takes to defend our national and economic security,” he said in a statement.

Norway confirmed its participation in the operation. Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik announced that, among others, P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and surface ships. According to the Norwegian minister, Russia is developing capabilities for mapping and potentially sabotaging infrastructure at great depths. (PAP)

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