UK Claims Russia Conducted Submarine Activity Near Critical Infrastructure

Defence Secretary John Healey reported that three Russian submarines engaged in a covert mission targeting undersea cables and energy pipelines in the Atlantic, north of the UK. British naval forces and aircraft were deployed to prevent the “malign” actions by Moscow, with no damage to UK infrastructure observed, he noted.

“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 stated during a press conference at Downing Street.

The UK’s reliance on undersea cables and pipelines for data and energy is significant. Approximately 60 cables land along the UK coastline, with heavy concentrations in East Anglia and South West England. Over 90% of the nation’s internet traffic passes through these cables, underscoring their strategic importance.

Healey explained that Russia used an Akula-class submarine as a distraction while two Gugi vessels performed surveillance on the cables. The first Akula submarine departed UK waters shortly after being tracked, while the Gugi subs remained in the area. The Royal Navy, supported by the RFA Tidespring and Merlin helicopters, monitored all three submarines during the operation.

Other countries also participated in tracking Russia’s activity, though Healey specifically named Norway. “Our forces made it clear to Russia that their movements were under observation, their operation was no longer secret, and their plans had been exposed,” he said. Sonar buoys were deployed to signal continuous monitoring of the submarines’ movements.

Russia’s Strategic Moves and Hybrid Warfare Tactics

Healey asserted that Putin aimed to exploit global attention on the Middle East conflict to escalate threats against the UK. He emphasized that Russia remains the “primary threat” to UK security, though confidence was expressed in the nation’s ability to detect and respond to future covert operations.

Undersea cables and pipelines form a global backbone for critical infrastructure. Over 600 such cables span 870,000 miles (1.4 million km) across oceans, enabling data and energy transfers. The UK also depends on a network of gas pipelines in the North Sea, which supply 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 link for gas imports. About 77% of the UK’s gas comes from Norway via these underwater routes. In 2025, BBC InDepth uncovered evidence of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy against the UK and Western Europe, targeting Western nations’ support for Ukraine.

Hybrid warfare involves anonymous, deniable attacks by hostile states, often in ambiguous contexts, without crossing into full-scale war. Despite this, the Russian embassy has previously denied interest in British underwater communications, according to the article.