The UK Defence Secretary John Healey revealed a major UK naval operation tracking Russian submarines near vital North Atlantic infrastructure.
Over a month, British forces monitored one attack submarine and two spy submarines. Consequently, the operation aimed to deter Russian threats to undersea cables. Moreover, 500 British personnel tracked the vessels hour-by-hour, using aircraft and warships, while coordinating closely with Norway to ensure complete surveillance of the High North.
The attack submarine, known as an Akula, reportedly tried to distract attention from the two GUGI spy submarines. However, UK forces successfully followed all three, forcing them to retreat to Russian waters. Addressing Vladimir Putin directly, Healey said: “We see you, we see your activity over our cables and our pipelines.” Furthermore, he added that Putin’s mission had failed.
Healey explained that the submarines intended to gather intelligence that could sabotage UK infrastructure during conflicts. Therefore, British forces deployed sonar buoys to signal that the covert operation had been exposed. The two GUGIs belong to Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research. Additionally, these vessels specialize in monitoring and potentially sabotaging critical subsea infrastructure worldwide.
Undersea fibre optic cables carry over 99% of international communications. Consequently, these cables are essential for global banking, trade, and digital communications, making them strategic national assets. Following the press conference, the Prime Minister stressed that the UK would defend its national and economic security. Moreover, he emphasized that the Armed Forces would act decisively wherever threats emerged.
The Royal Navy deployed HMS St Albans, RFA Tidespring, and Merlin helicopters to track the attack submarine. Additionally, RAF P8 aircraft assisted, ensuring full coverage until the submarine returned safely to Russia. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Putin mocked Sir Keir Starmer’s threat to seize sanctioned Russian tankers in the English Channel. The Admiral Grigorovich escorted two shadow fleet vessels past the south coast, with a Royal Navy ship following behind.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that the UK has authorized action against the Russian shadow fleet. However, she emphasized that operational decisions must be carefully executed by the military. This UK naval operation demonstrates Britain’s ability to monitor hostile activity and protect undersea infrastructure. As a result, it sends a clear warning to Russia about the UK’s readiness to act.
For more updates on this news, follow London Pulse News.
