London on Thursday accused Russia of conducting covert attacks on submarines in and around its waters and said Russian armed forces had successfully repelled them.
The British Ministry of Defense claims that British aircraft and warships detected a Russian attack submarine entering international waters in the High North a few weeks ago and are tracking its activities around the clock.
It was claimed that the operation in the North Atlantic was part of a “Russian bluff” while other specialist vessels carried out “nefarious activities” near critical underwater infrastructure.
“I am determined to protect the British people from paying the price [Russian President] Putin’s aggression on household bills,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
“That’s why we won’t shy away from taking action and exposing Russia’s destabilizing activities designed to test our resolve.
He said: “Our armed forces are among the best in the world and the British public should have no doubt that this government will do whatever it takes to defend our national and economic security wherever the need is in the world.”
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, military personnel quickly discovered that the submarine was deployed as a distraction and worked closely with allies, including Norway, to identify and monitor other Russian subsea naval units of the Directorate-General for Deep Sea Research conducting nefarious activities on critical undersea infrastructure elsewhere.
Defense Secretary John Healey revealed details of the operation at a Downing Street press conference, saying: “While many eyes are understandably focused on the Middle East, our British armed forces are simultaneously dealing with the rising Russian threat in the north of the UK.”
“As we take action to defend our interests and allies in the Middle East, we are countering the growing threat from NATO in the High North, maintaining strong support for Ukraine and protecting our British homeland.
“I say to Putin: We see you, we see your activity on our underwater infrastructure. You should know that any attempt to undermine it will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences,” he said.
Britain says its overt operation is aimed at ensuring Russian forces know they are being monitored and no longer carry out covert operations as planned. Both the GUGI force and the Akula-class submarines were said to have “withdrawn due to their failure to complete the operation covertly.”
The target is believed to be undersea fiber-optic cables that are vital to all digital communications and account for more than 99% of international data traffic, including voice calls and internet data, underpinning global banking, trade and communications.
The Royal Navy deployed a Type 23 frigate, HMS St Albans, RFA Tidespring and Merlin helicopters to track the attack submarine, which was operating near British territorial waters.
The submarine works alongside RAF P8 aircraft and is tracked 24/7 during operations with allies. Officials said the Royal Air Force and Navy deployed sonobuoys to track Russian ships as part of an operation that saw British ships sail thousands of miles.
The Ministry of Defense said: “While the Russian attack submarine has now returned to Russia, the UK has prepared naval ships and aircraft to respond should Russian ships return.”
GUGI is described as a long-term Russian military program to develop capabilities deployed by specialized surface ships and submarines with the purpose of surveying underwater infrastructure in peacetime but damaging or destroying infrastructure during conflict.
Britain said it remained alert and had stepped up its commitment to protecting critical underwater infrastructure, including an extra £100 million to support its P8 submarine-hunting aircraft.
This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.
