Overview
- Britain, which went public Thursday, said it tracked three Russian submarines for about a month near seabed cables and pipelines north of the UK.
- Defence Secretary John Healey identified one Akula-class attack sub and two GUGI research boats designed to map or sabotage seabed links that carry most internet traffic and key energy flows.
- The UK and Norway used a Royal Navy frigate, RAF P-8 patrol flights, sonar buoys and hundreds of personnel to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and deter hostile acts.
- Officials reported no verified damage and said the submarines moved north, as Healey warned Vladimir Putin that any attempt to harm cables or pipelines would bring serious consequences.
- Moscow denied the claims and said warships are escorting sanctioned tankers to counter what it calls piracy, a stance that keeps pressure on UK and NATO efforts to police Russia’s shadow fleet and protect seabed infrastructure.