Britain exposes clandestine Russian operation in North Atlantic

This was reported by Sky News, according to Ukrinform.

According to Healey, the UK has observed increased Russian activity in the northern Atlantic. He noted that a Russian Akula-class attack submarine and two specialist submarines from Russia's main directorate for deep sea research (GUGI) have been detected in the Atlantic Ocean. Healey also recalled the discovery of the Russian Yantar spy ship last November.

The UK Defence Secretary emphasized that these vessels were directed by Russian president Vladimir Putin to "conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK and our allies, specifically around critical undersea infrastructure".

According to Healey, Russian submarines are "designed to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime and sabotage it in conflict".

The British military are tracking the vessels, both by sea and by air in a coordinated month-long mission with allies. One of the submarines – the Akula – has already returned to Russia, the minister added.

Healey also said that military operations against Russian submarines, involving more than 500 British personnel, lasted over a month and have now ended.

At the same time, the UK Defence Secretary noted that there was no evidence that Russian submarines in the Atlantic had damaged the country’s underwater cables or pipelines.

Against this backdrop, Healey warned Russia against further hybrid attacks on the United Kingdom.

“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,” the British minister stressed.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed Britain’s exposure of the Russian covert operation in the North Atlantic.

“Russian clandestine operations in the North Atlantic, uncovered by the UK, demonstrate acute regional and global threats posed by the Russian regime. We commend our British partners’ vigilance and resolve. Uncovering Russia’s malign actions is one of the most effective methods of countering them,” the Ukrainian foreign minister said.

Sybiha also called on the international community to abandon any illusions about Moscow and to deter, isolate, and relentlessly sanction the Russian regime in order to counter its aggressive ambitions.

As reported earlier, The Telegraph wrote that the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich escorted two oil tankers sanctioned by the United Kingdom through the English Channel.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine