The Royal Navy has revealed a significant escalation in Russian underwater activity near the British Isles, with a submarine deployed to shadow a spy vessel mapping critical undersea gas pipelines.
Submarine Escort for Spy Ship Operation
Newly declassified imagery from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) shows a Russian submarine operating in close proximity to the Yantar, a vessel officially classified as a Russian research ship. The incident occurred in the Irish Sea in November of last year, where the Yantar was reportedly surveying the gas pipeline linking Britain and Ireland.
It remains unclear if the escorting submarine was one of Russia's specialised sabotage models. The photo evidence also captured a British anti-submarine Merlin Mk2 helicopter tracking the Yantar, while a British submarine surfaced nearby in response. According to reports, this is believed to be one of several missions where Russian submarines have accompanied the Yantar into waters close to the UK.
Sharp Rise in Russian Incursions
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Gwyn Jenkins stated earlier this month that the UK has witnessed a 30 per cent increase in Russian incursions into British waters over the past two years. While spy ships like the Yantar provide a visible sign of this activity, Admiral Jenkins emphasised the greater concern lies beneath the surface.
He recently warned that Russia is renewing investment in its elite deep-sea submarine division, known as Gugi. The UK sanctioned the Russian military agency leading these underwater intelligence operations in June of this year.
UK's Robust Defence and Deterrence Strategy
In response to the growing threat, the Ministry of Defence has issued a firm statement. A spokesperson said: "As the defence secretary has said, our message to President Putin is clear: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country."
The government is acutely aware of the threat to undersea cables, networks, and pipelines. To counter it, the Prime Minister has committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, aiming to raise spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, with an ambition for 3% in the next parliament.
Additional measures include:
- Introducing 900 new sanctions against Russian individuals, entities, and ships.
- Accelerating the development of advanced anti-submarine technology.
- Deploying the Atlantic Bastion programme, which integrates autonomous vessels, AI-enabled sensors, warships, and aircraft to protect critical infrastructure.
This multi-faceted strategy is designed to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the evolving threat posed by Russia's submarine forces.
