Underwater Espionage? British military officials uncover Russian surveillance devices in UK waters

Life Onboard A Trident Nuclear Submarine

Important Takeaways:

  • Discovery of Russian Spy Sensors: British military officials have uncovered Russian surveillance devices in UK territorial waters. These sensors are believed to be designed to monitor the movements of the UK’s Vanguard-class nuclear submarines, which carry the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
  • Potential Threat to Undersea Infrastructure: The presence of these devices raises concerns about the security of critical undersea infrastructure, including communication cables and energy pipelines. Such infrastructure is vital for national security and economic stability, and tampering could pose significant risks.
  • Use of Advanced Russian Submarines: Reports suggest that Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI) operates specialized submarines, such as the Losharik, capable of deep-sea operations. These vessels are suspected of deploying surveillance equipment and potentially engaging in sabotage activities targeting undersea infrastructure.
  • Royal Navy’s Response: In reaction to these findings, the Royal Navy has increased surveillance and countermeasures to protect national waters. This includes deploying advanced surveillance vessels equipped with autonomous underwater systems to detect and neutralize potential threats.
  • Escalation of Underwater Espionage: The discovery of these sensors is indicative of a broader pattern of underwater intelligence warfare, reminiscent of Cold War tensions. It highlights the ongoing geopolitical challenges and the need for heightened vigilance to safeguard national security interests.

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Britain escorts Russian ship near national waters amid strained relations

Images from an infrared camera on a helicopter show Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans escorting Russian warship Admiral Gorshkov as it passes close to UK territorial waters through the North Sea in an image from an infrared camera on a helicopter handed out by Britain's Royal Navy December 25, 2017.

A British ship escorted a Russian vessel as it passed near UK territorial waters over Christmas, Britain’s defense ministry said on Tuesday, adding that Russian naval activity near Britain had increased in the holiday period.

The frigate HMS St Albans departed on Dec. 23 to track the new Russian warship Admiral Gorshkov as it moved through the North Sea. The Royal Navy vessel monitored the Russian ship over Christmas and will return to dock in Portsmouth later on Tuesday.

UK defense minister Gavin Williamson said in a statement after the incident that he would “not hesitate in defending our waters or tolerate any form of aggression”.

Relations between Britain and Russia are strained, and UK foreign minister Boris Johnson said there was “abundant evidence” of Moscow meddling in foreign elections during a trip to Russia last week. His counterpart Sergei Lavrov said there was no proof for Johnson’s claim.

While Johnson said he wants to normalize relations with Russia, Moscow blames London for the poor state of relations between the countries.

Britain’s defense ministry said another ship, HMS Tyne, was called to escort a Russian intelligence-gathering ship through the North Sea and the English Channel on Christmas Eve. A helicopter was subsequently dispatched to monitor two other Russian vessels.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout, editing by Ed Osmond)