Recent disclosures of Russian sensors, assumed to be spying on British nuclear submarines, planted secretly in waters around the UK, have heightened chilling fears of national security.
The British army found the devices after some had washed up, leading to a Royal Navy investigation. Previously unreported, the issue has sparked alarm as Moscow is reportedly seeking details of the UK’s four Vanguard submarines, which are equipped with nuclear missiles. At least one of them is currently in service as part of Britain’s permanent at-sea deterrent.
Moscow also possesses a fleet of spy submarines believed to be superior to the UK and NATO’s in seabed combat and espionage. In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia has increased its monitoring of underwater internet links, energy pipelines, and Western countries’ vital military cables. In the past 15 months, at least 11 internet cables in the Baltic Sea have been cut, partially due to anchors of ships being dragged along the seabed.
A defense source indicated the damage is deliberate, stating, “You actually have to leave the power on to drag, so it is intentional.” In response to recent cable destruction, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force deployed the Nordic Warden, an AI system utilized to monitor the Russian shadow fleet’s movements.
A senior British defence minister highlighted the rising tensions and spoke of a “game of cat and mouse” in Cold War-style language. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that it is determined to safeguard critical offshore assets and ensure Russian vessels are unable to operate secretly close to UK or NATO shores.
