Russian warships in British waters. Royal Navy has taken action

The British government has revealed that in recent weeks Russian warships have been found to be active in this submarine north of Britain. According to London, it was not merely a matter of mere reconnaissance, but of actions linked to Russian capabilities to operate near the sub-marine critical infrastructure.

Russian bait and proper direction of operation

According to information disclosed by the British, the Russians were to first direct a Akula-type submarine to this area, which was to act as bait and draw attention from the essential part of the operation. At the same time, two specialized units of GUGI, the Russian Main Board of Deep Research, were operating in the area. They are the ones that have attracted the greatest interest of the British side and allies.

In London's assessment, this was not an accidental episode. British Defence Minister John Healey reported that such units are intended to observe underwater infrastructure during peacetime, and in case of conflict they may serve to sabotage it.

GUGI and Marine Critical Infrastructure

This is what gives the whole thing more weight. United Kingdom is a country particularly dependent on infrastructure running at the bottom of the sea. As Healey stressed, a major part of international data transmission, as well as a significant part of energy supply, passes through the cable and pipeline system. In his speech there were specific figures: 99% of international telecommunications and data transmission and half of the gas used for house heating depend on sub-marine infrastructure.

From this perspective, the Russian presence over cables and pipelines no longer looks like a simple flag show or routine patrols at sea. For the British, it was a signal that Moscow was still testing the West in the area of hybrid warfare and investigating sensitive points of its infrastructure. It is also a clear reminder that critical infrastructure at the bottom of the sea is now becoming one of the key fields of competition of NATO states.

Royal Navy and allies began tracking

In response, London launched a tracking and deterrence operation. According to the disclosure, Russian units were monitored around the clock. The activities were attended by British ships and aviation, supported by allied forces. According to the British Defence Ministry, the operation lasted over a month. The air force carried out more than 450 hours of operations, the frigate travelled several thousand nautical miles, and about 500 British soldiers were involved in the response.

Among the forces involved in this operation, the British and Polish media communications listed a frigate of type 23 HMS St Albans, tanker RFA Tidesspring, P-8 Poseidon aircraft and Merlin helicopters. Sonar buoys were also used during observation.

London: "We see you"

The British decided to give the matter a political dimension. John Healey, addressing the Kremlin publicly, stated:

We can see you. We can see your activity on our cables and pipelines. Any attempt to damage this infrastructure will face serious consequences. The tone of this statement shows that London wanted not only to follow the Russians, but also to make it clear that the operation was recognized and revealed.

According to the British government, the Russian Akula-type ship eventually withdrew, and GUGI units left the area after the British tracking operation ended. London thus concluded that the Russian attempt to carry out the cover-up was thwarted.

Tension also persisted in the English Channel

Parallel tension also remained closer to the southern British approaches. According to Defence24, a group of ships in La Manche Canal Royal Navy consisting of frigate type 23 HMS Somerset and a River HMS type patrol vessel Merseysupported by RFA Tideforce and Wildcat helicopters, followed the Russian group. It consisted of a destroyer, a frigate, a landing ship and a submarine design 877 Paltus or a project 636.3 Warszawianka.

The whole case shows that Russian naval activity near British waters is not just another episode of tension on the Russia-NATO line. The root of the problem lies deeper – literally and figuratively. It's about Marine critical infrastructurewhich depends on connectivity, energy transmission and the daily functioning of the state.