UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines
UK Says Russia Conducted Submarine Operation Over Cables and Pipelines
Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that Russian submarines carried out a clandestine mission in the waters off the UK’s coast, targeting critical undersea cables and pipelines. British naval and aerial forces were deployed to counter the activity, with no damage reported to the nation’s infrastructure in the Atlantic, he stated.
Submarine Activity and UK Response
Healey addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin directly, asserting:
“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.”
The operation involved an Akula-class submarine as a distraction, while two Guggi-class vessels performed surveillance. The first Akula left UK waters swiftly, but the two Guggi subs remained for the duration.
The Royal Navy deployed HMS St Albans, the RFA Tidespring, and Merlin helicopters to track all three submarines. Other countries also participated in monitoring the activity, though Healey specifically named Norway.
UK’s Reliance on Critical Infrastructure
The UK depends heavily on its undersea cables and pipelines for data transmission and energy supply. Over 60 cables land along the coastline, especially in East Anglia and South West England. These cables facilitate approximately 90% of the country’s daily internet traffic. Additionally, a network of underwater gas pipelines, mainly in the North Sea, delivers essential energy from the UK and Norwegian Continental Shelves. The Langeled pipeline, stretching 724 miles (1,166 km) between Norway and the UK, is a key component of this system, with around 77% of the UK’s gas imports arriving via such routes.
Hybrid Warfare Allegations
BBC InDepth uncovered in 2025 that Russia was engaging in hybrid warfare against the UK and Western Europe. This strategy aims to punish or deter continued military support for Ukraine through covert, deniable attacks. Healey claimed Russia sought to exploit global attention on the Middle East conflict to advance its objectives. Despite this, he emphasized that the UK remains capable of monitoring future Russian actions and exposing any threats to its vital interests.
The Russian embassy has previously denied interest in British underwater communications, but Healey’s statements suggest otherwise. He stressed that Moscow’s efforts to infiltrate the UK’s critical infrastructure have been identified, with sonar buoys deployed to demonstrate continuous surveillance during the operation.