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In a recent statement, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that a British frigate, along with aircraft and several hundred personnel, closely monitored a Russian attack submarine and two intelligence-gathering submarines. These vessels were detected near critical undersea infrastructure to the north of the United Kingdom.
Healey reported that, following an extensive operation spanning more than a month, the Russian submarines eventually vacated the area.
In a firm warning to Russia, Healey stated, “We are aware of your activities around our cables and pipelines. You should understand that any attempts to damage them will be met with serious repercussions and will not be tolerated.”
Efforts to obtain comments from Norway’s defence and foreign ministries, as well as its armed forces, were not immediately successful.
British authorities are striving to keep the international focus on Russia, even as global attention is drawn to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Officials have emphasized the interconnectedness of these crises, pointing to Russia’s provision of drone components and other forms of assistance to Iran in its conflict with Ukraine.
Healey told a news conference that “Putin would want us to be distracted by the Middle East,” but Russia is the main threat to the UK and its allies.
“We will not take our eyes off Putin,” he said.
In late March, the UK said its military was ready to seize ships suspected to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels shipping oil in violation of international sanctions over Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
Previously, Britain had only helped France and the US monitor ships before they were boarded.
“We are ready to take action” against the vessels, Healey said.
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