UK exposes failed Russian submarine mission targeting critical infrastructure
Photo: Russian leader Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin secretly deployed submarines toward UK cables and pipelines, but the operation failed. The UK publicly warned Moscow of “serious consequences,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated during a press conference from Downing Street.
What British forces detected
In British waters of the Atlantic Ocean, three Russian vessels were identified:
- an Akula-class attack submarine
- two specialized submarines belonging to Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research
Earlier, in November last year, British intelligence also detected the Russian reconnaissance ship Yantar in the region.
According to John Healey, Vladimir Putin ordered these vessels to “wage a hybrid war against the United Kingdom and our allies, particularly around critical undersea infrastructure.”
How the UK responded
British forces tracked the submarines from both sea and air in coordination with allies.
“A Royal Navy warship and Royal Air Force P-8a aircraft, alongside allies, ensured that the Russian submarines were monitored 24/7,” the minister said.
More than 500 British military personnel took part in the operation, which lasted over a month and has now concluded.
“We watched them, we were able to track them, we dropped sonar buoys to demonstrate to them that we were monitoring every hour of their operation,” John Healey added.
Photo: Defense Minister John Gili showed photos of Russian ships spotted in the Atlantic during a press conference (news.sky.com)
According to him, the Akula-class submarine has since returned “home,” while monitoring of the two deep-sea vessels continues.
He stressed that the submarines were operating within the UK’s exclusive economic zone, not in territorial waters.
Preliminary data shows no damage to cables or pipelines.
“The UK has one of the most resilient undersea networks of any nation, with, in-built contingencies if there are damage. But we will ensure that with allies that we will verify the state of our infrastructure,” he added.
Warning to Moscow
John Healey said the statement was made public deliberately to expose the failed Russian operation.
“To President Putin, I say - 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,” he said.
“Putin's covert operation failed because this government is delivering our first duty - protecting Britain,” he added.
Ukraine’s reaction
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the exposed operation highlights serious regional and global threats posed by Russia.
He urged the international community to abandon any illusions about Moscow and called for stronger containment, isolation, and sanctions.
Not the first case
This is not the first time London has raised alarm over Russian activity near its waters.
According to The Telegraph, on April 9, the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich, armed with cruise and anti-ship missiles, escorted two sanctioned shadow fleet tankers through the English Channel — despite a pledge by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to detain such vessels.
Analysts estimate that more than 300 Russian shadow fleet ships have passed through British waters since January, none of which were detained.
Earlier, in December 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) reportedly struck a Russian Varshavyanka-class submarine in the port of Novorossiysk using naval drones, causing critical damage.
More recently, Ukrainian forces also hit a Russian Be-12 Chaika amphibious aircraft based near Kacha in occupied Crimea. The extent of the damage is being clarified.
