UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines
UK Says Russia Conducted Secret Submarine Mission Over Critical Infrastructure
UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that three Russian submarines engaged in a covert mission near the nation’s undersea cables and energy pipelines in Atlantic waters. He emphasized that British naval and aerial assets were deployed to counter the “hostile” actions, with no damage reported to the country’s infrastructure, he stated.
“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 declared during a Downing Street press conference on Thursday.
Infrastructure and Strategic Importance
The UK relies heavily on its undersea cables and pipelines for data and energy. Approximately 60 cables land along the coastline, with significant concentrations around East Anglia and the South West of England. Over 90% of the nation’s daily internet traffic traverses these cables.
Additionally, the country depends on a network of underwater gas pipelines, mainly in the North Sea. These systems supply vital energy resources from the UK and Norwegian Continental Shelves. The Langeled pipeline, stretching 724 miles between Norway and the UK, is a key component of this network, transporting around 77% of the UK’s gas imports from Norway.
Russian Tactics and Monitoring Efforts
Healey explained that Russia used an Akula-class submarine as a distraction while two Guggi-class vessels conducted surveillance of the cables. The first Akula left UK waters shortly after being tracked, but the two Guggi submarines remained operational. The Royal Navy deployed HMS St Albans, RFA Tidespring, and Merlin helicopters to monitor all three submarines during the mission.
Other nations, including Norway, were involved in tracking the activity, though Healey specifically named Norway in his remarks. He noted that the UK’s forces made it clear the submarines were under observation, exposing their secret operation and ensuring they were aware of being monitored.
Hybrid Warfare and Broader Context
BBC InDepth revealed in 2025 that Russia had been conducting “hybrid warfare” against the UK and Western Europe. This strategy aimed to punish or deter nations from supporting Ukraine militarily. Hybrid warfare involves anonymous, deniable attacks under suspicious conditions but avoids direct attribution to a state.
Healey also highlighted that Russia remains the “primary threat” to UK security, seeking to exploit global attention on the Middle East conflict. Starmer, the Prime Minister, echoed this sentiment, stating his commitment to shielding the British people from rising energy costs linked to Putin’s aggression. “We will not hesitate to take action and reveal Russia’s efforts to challenge our stability,” he added.
