- Russian submarines, under GUGI, conducted a clandestine deep-sea test of a secret weapon near Svalbard in spring.
- Britain, the US, and Norway tracked and confronted the Russian vessels at sea, officials told Reuters after a clandestine Russian operation was carried out by GUGI undersea warfare directorate.
- The Russian vessels were prevented from completing their exercise and eventually left the area.
- The discovery of the new weapon, location of the operation and US involvement come months after Britain and Norway disclosed that they had uncovered a covert Russian operation in waters.
- Deep-sea submersibles were used to simulate the deployment of the sophisticated and destructive technology capable of disrupting deep sea cables vital for global internet connectivity and financial transactions.
- Western intelligence officials fear the Kremlin is ramping up sabotage operations in Europe and preparing for a conflict with Nato.
- Some US intelligence analysts are increasingly concerned Russia may also test Nato’s mutual defence pact, known as Article 5, potentially with a limited incursion.
- Russia’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the incident.
NATO allies, including Britain, Norway, and the US, successfully disrupted a Russian operation in the Arctic waters off Svalbard, where submarines were testing a secret weapon designed to sabotage undersea cables.
The operation, carried out by Moscow's GUGI undersea warfare directorate, involved deep-sea submersibles simulating the deployment of technology capable of disrupting vital cables for global internet connectivity and financial transactions.5
According to intelligence sources, the Russian vessels were tracked and confronted before they could complete their tests. The operation lasted almost a month and was monitored by RAF maritime surveillance aircraft and Norwegian forces.3
John Healey, former defence secretary, noted that the Royal Navy had been closely observing the Russian submarines, which included two GUGI submarines and an Akula-class attack submarine.1
The discovery of this new weapon and the details of the operation highlight growing concerns among Western intelligence officials about the Kremlin's increasing sabotage activities in Europe and potential preparations for conflict with NATO.46
The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on the operation, but the incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the importance of vigilance against such clandestine activities.
“The operation, involving Britain, the US, and Norway, tracked Russian spy vessels for almost a month, with RAF aircraft and HMS St Albans observing. Western officials fear the Kremlin is ramping up sabotage across Europe, with 99% of UK data carried by subsea cables.”
The Independent
