UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines

UK Says Russia Conducted Submarine Mission Over Cables and Pipelines

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that three Russian submarines engaged in a covert mission targeting undersea cables and energy pipelines in Atlantic waters near the UK. The operation, described as “malign,” was observed by British forces, which deployed a warship and aircraft to monitor the activity. Healey emphasized that no damage was inflicted on UK infrastructure during the event, stating, “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.”

Global Infrastructure at Risk

Undersea cables and pipelines are vital to the UK’s connectivity and energy supply. Over 60 cables land along the UK’s coast, with key locations in East Anglia and South West England. These cables facilitate more than 90% of the nation’s daily internet traffic. Additionally, the UK depends on a network of gas pipelines in the North Sea, including the 724-mile Langeled pipeline linking Norway to the UK. About 77% of the country’s gas imports originate from Norway via these submerged routes.

Healey, speaking at a Downing Street press conference, detailed that Russia deployed an Akula-class submarine as a distraction while two Guggi-class vessels carried out surveillance. The first Akula submarine was tracked and then retreated to Russian waters, while the two Guggi subs remained. To monitor the activity, the Royal Navy used a Type 23 frigate, HMS St Albans, the RFA Tidespring, and Merlin helicopters. Other countries, though not named, also participated in tracking the Russian subs.

“Our armed forces left [Russia] in no doubt that they were being monitored, that their movements were not covert, as President Putin planned, and that their attempted secret operation had been exposed,” Healey said. He added, “We watched them, we were able to track them, we dropped sonar buoys to demonstrate to them that we were monitoring every hour of their operation.”

Healey argued that Russia aimed to exploit global attention on the Middle East conflict to carry out a “primary threat to UK security.” He claimed Moscow continues to pose a risk but expressed confidence in the UK’s ability to detect and counter future covert actions. The incident fits into a broader context of “hybrid warfare,” a strategy involving anonymous, deniable attacks designed to pressure Western nations without direct attribution to a state.

According to BBC InDepth, Russia has been engaging in hybrid warfare against the UK and Europe since 2025. This approach seeks to deter continued military aid to Ukraine by targeting critical infrastructure. The Russian embassy previously stated it was “not interested in British underwater communications,” but the latest incident suggests otherwise.