UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines

UK Says Russia Conducted Submarine Activity Over Cables and Pipelines

Defence Secretary John Healey claimed that Russia executed a secret mission targeting undersea cables and pipelines near the UK’s northern waters. He revealed the involvement of three Russian submarines, stating that a British warship and aircraft were deployed to prevent the “malign” actions by Moscow. No damage to UK infrastructure in the Atlantic was detected during the operation, he added.

“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 asserted during a Downing Street press conference.

The UK heavily depends on its undersea cables for data transmission and energy supply. Approximately 60 of these cables connect to the UK coastline, with major hubs in East Anglia and South West England. Over 90% of daily internet traffic flows through these cables, highlighting their strategic importance.

Healey explained that Russia used an Akula-class submarine as a distraction while two Gugi vessels carried out surveillance. The first Akula submarine exited UK waters shortly after being tracked, while the Gugi subs remained. The Royal Navy responded by deploying HMS St Albans, RFA Tidespring, and Merlin helicopters to monitor all three submarines.

Additional countries, including Norway, were involved in tracking the Russian activity. Healey emphasized that the UK’s forces made it clear the submarines were under observation, exposing the covert operation as planned by Putin. “We watched them, we were able to track them, and we dropped sonar buoys to show they were being monitored every hour,” he said.

Undersea cables and pipelines are critical global infrastructure, spanning over 870,000 miles (1.4 million km) and connecting 600 cables worldwide. These cables carry electricity and information across oceans, often landing at discreet locations. The UK also relies on a network of gas pipelines in the North Sea, which supply energy from the UK and Norwegian Continental Shelves.

The Langeled pipeline, a 724-mile (1,166km) link between Norway and the UK, transports 77% of the nation’s gas imports. BBC InDepth uncovered in 2025 that Russia was employing hybrid warfare tactics against the UK and western Europe, aiming to pressure nations into reducing military support for Ukraine. Hybrid warfare involves anonymous, deniable attacks without direct attribution to a state.

Despite the Russian embassy’s earlier claim of no interest in UK communications, Healey insisted that Moscow continues to pose a “primary threat” to national security. He expressed confidence that the UK could continue tracking and exposing any future covert operations targeting its vital interests.