UK, Norway Hunt Russian Subs Near Critical Cables as Moscow Accuses Kyiv of ‘Sea Terror Plot’

UK and Norwegian forces tracked Russian submarines near critical cables, as Moscow’s TASS claims Ukraine is preparing attacks in Arctic waters with Norway’s support. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Images from the UK Ministry of Defence (Photos UK Ministry of Defence) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google British and Norwegian forces carried out a weeks-long operation to track and deter Russian submarines suspected of “malign activity” near critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic, the United Kingdom ’s Ministry of Defense said on Thursday. The operation, which lasted more than a month and involved over 500 British personnel, has now concluded, Defense Secretary John Healey said, as per the Sky News report . Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Healey publicly accused Moscow of covert activity targeting undersea cables and pipelines. “I’m making this statement to call out this Russian activity,” he said. “To President Vladimir 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.” According to the UK military, the operation began several weeks ago after an Akula-class attack submarine was detected in the High North, alongside two specialist submarines operated by Russia ’s Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research (GUGI). Officials said the attack submarine appeared to act as a decoy, drawing attention away from the two GUGI vessels, which are designed for deep-sea operations and are often associated with missions involving undersea infrastructure. The Russian vessels were operating within the UK’s exclusive economic zone rather than its territorial waters. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Replaces Russia-Linked Diplomatic Plates With New Olive Design in Symbolic Break Ukraine introduced new olive diplomatic plates, replacing a system where Russia once held the top code, in a move officials say reflects a break from past ties. Their presence prompted a coordinated response involving the Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans, support ship RFA Tidespring, Merlin helicopters, and RAF Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, which tracked the submarines around the clock. The Ministry of Defence said the Russian submarines have since left the area. There is no evidence they caused damage to undersea infrastructure, though officials declined to specify exactly what sites they were operating near. Healey warned that threats to Britain’s undersea network are increasing, noting a 30% rise in Russian vessel activity near UK waters over the past two years. He stressed the importance of subsea infrastructure, with fiber-optic cables carrying more than 99% of global data traffic, including communications and internet services. “Putin’s covert operation failed because this government is delivering our first duty – protecting Britain,” he said. Responding to questions about the timing of the Russian submarine activity, amid global focus on tensions in the Middle East, Healey suggested it may have been deliberate. “I’m pretty clear that Putin would want us to be distracted by the Middle East,” he said. “What I’m setting out today demonstrates that we are not just exposing his covert operation, but we are saying to him that we recognize Russia as the primary threat to the UK and to NATO – and that we will not take our eyes off Putin,” Healey added. Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the operation, saying the UK would continue exposing and countering Russian activity. “We will not shy away from taking action and exposing Russia’s destabilizing activity that seeks to test our resolve. Our armed forces are among the best in the world,” Starmer said, adding the British public should be in no doubt that this government will do whatever it takes to defend national and economic security worldwide. Healey also addressed concerns over Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, which has been used to circumvent sanctions. He said the UK stands ready to act alongside allies to interdict such vessels if necessary. “If Russia is rerouting its shadow ships or escorting them with its own warships, the stance, the military posture, the determined work that we’ve done – particularly with allied nations is having an impact and making it harder for Putin to pursue his illegal oil revenues,” he said, adding that further pressure would be applied in the coming months. The report of the successful operation against Russian submarines coincided with a claim by Russian state news agency TASS alleging that Ukraine, with Norway’s assistance, was preparing attacks in the Barents and Norwegian Seas. Citing a military-diplomatic source, TASS wrote : “The criminal Kyiv regime, with the assistance of military specialists from the Norwegian Navy, is preparing to carry out terrorist attacks against Russian vessels traveling through the Barents and Norwegian Seas from the port of Murmansk and back.” According to the source, a group of about 50 servicemen from Ukraine’s 385th Separate Brigade of Special Purpose Naval Unmanned Systems allegedly arrived in Norway for this purpose. They are said to be working with specialists from the Norwegian Navy’s Special Forces Command to practice using unmanned underwater and surface systems in cold-weather conditions in the Norwegian Sea. “The agency’s interlocutor also claims that Norway’s leadership, by assisting the Kyiv regime’s alleged terrorist activities and providing its territory for the preparation and execution of maritime sabotage, is directly drawing Norway and the entire NATO bloc into a military conflict with Russia,” the report said. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.