Russian ambassador doesn't deny spying on UK nuclear submarines
Photo: Russia could be monitoring Britain's nuclear submarines (Getty Images)
Russia's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrey Kelin, did not deny the presence of Russian sensors in British waters. However, he rejected the notion that these actions pose a threat, BBC One informs.
Andrey Kelin effectively did not deny reports that Moscow has been installing sensors in the seas around the United Kingdom to monitor British nuclear submarines.
In comments to the BBC, he stated that he would not refute the accusations but dismissed suggestions that such actions pose a security threat to the UK.
I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarine with very old outdated nuclear warheads... all these threats are extremely exaggerated," Kelin said.
His comments followed a Sunday Times investigation that reported the discovery of underwater Russian sensors in waters around the United Kingdom.
According to media reports, the devices are intended to gather intelligence on the UK’s four Vanguard-class submarines, which are armed with nuclear missiles.
British military officials discovered the sensors and consider them a potential threat to national security. They are viewed as part of Russia’s hybrid or "gray zone" warfare.
Such operations may also involve attempts to damage critical infrastructure, such as underwater cables or energy pipelines.
The UK Ministry of Defence has said it is working with NATO allies to step up monitoring and prevent Russian naval activity near British shores.
As a reminder, in October 2024, a Russian vessel carrying a dangerous cargo was spotted in the English Channel. The so-called “floating bomb” had been denied access to dock at several ports.
It was also reported that in January, NATO ships began patrolling the Baltic Sea following damage to underwater cables.
