Russian Submarines Shadow Spy Vessel Near UK Waters
British defense officials have confirmed that Russian submarines are operating alongside the spy ship Yantar, which is reportedly monitoring critical undersea infrastructure near the UK. This revelation, reported by Times UK, highlights a concerning trend in Russian military activity that began in November of last year. The operations include a Russian submarine shadowing the Yantar as it surveyed a gas pipeline linking Britain and Ireland.
The Royal Navy has been actively tracking the Yantar, deploying one of its own hunter-killer submarines to monitor the situation. A recently declassified image shows the British submarine in close proximity to the Yantar, accompanied by an anti-submarine Merlin Mk2 helicopter during the incident in the Irish Sea. Defense sources indicate that this is just one of several missions where Russian submarines have accompanied the Yantar in British waters, raising alarms about potential threats to national security.
Increased Russian Military Activity Raises Concerns
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, head of the Royal Navy, has expressed concerns over Russia’s renewed investment in its elite deep-sea submarine division, known as GUGI. This development gives Moscow the capability to take “physical action” against the UK and its NATO allies. Intelligence reports suggest that Russian operations are focused on mapping vital gas, electricity, and fiber-optic cables in the Irish Sea, leading to fears of possible sabotage during future conflicts.
In response to the Yantar’s movements, British naval crews have been instructed to use secure communication channels and limit transmissions. A British hunter-killer submarine surfaced near the Yantar as a show of force, reportedly conveying a message of vigilance: “Thank you for allowing us to monitor your every move for the last few days.” Following this, specialist divers inspected the gas pipeline to ensure its integrity had not been compromised.
Concerns are mounting among senior defense sources that Russia is expanding its “grey-zone” operations around Britain and Ireland, particularly by exploiting Ireland’s military neutrality. Intelligence has also revealed that fishermen in southeast Ireland have been approached with offers of money to drag metal-cutting objects across the seabed at specific coordinates, further indicating potential sabotage efforts.
UK Government’s Response to Undersea Threats
Russia’s interest in the UK’s submarine fleet, which operates from Faslane in northwest Scotland, and submarine construction yards in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, has not gone unnoticed. European military officials believe that the Yantar and similar spy vessels aim to intercept naval communications and monitor NATO responses to provocations.
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In light of these escalating threats, the UK government has ramped up maritime patrols and established the Undersea Infrastructure Security Oversight Board. This board is tasked with coordinating policies to protect subsea cables and other critical infrastructure. Defense Secretary John Healey, along with the Ministry of Defence, has emphasized that Britain is proactively addressing these threats and is investing in the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has also underscored the importance of safeguarding undersea infrastructure, referencing past Russian sabotage incidents in the Baltic and across Europe. He stressed the ongoing cooperation between Ireland, the UK, and EU member states to enhance resilience against such threats.
