- NATO forces chased away Russian ships in Arctic waters that were training to attack undersea cables with a secret sabotage weapon deployed by submersible craft, Reuters reported, citing western officials.
- The confrontation took place near the remote Svalbard archipelago, and British and Norwegian officials took their findings to Moscow to show they were aware of the new technology.
- CIA director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow in August was partly to warn Russia against escalating sabotage operations in Europe, Reuters said, citing two people familiar with the matter.
NATO forces recently intervened to chase away Russian ships in Arctic waters, which were reportedly training to attack undersea cables using a secret sabotage weapon. This incident occurred near the Svalbard archipelago, a strategic location in the High North.12
British and Norwegian officials took their findings to Moscow, emphasizing their awareness of the new technology being employed by Russia. The Norwegian defence minister, Tore Sandvik, stated, “Through our joint operation, we sent a clear message to Russia that they cannot operate covertly … It is in no one’s interest to escalate tensions in the High North.”
This confrontation highlights ongoing concerns regarding Russian activities in the region, particularly those linked to the deep-sea research directorate, known as GUGI, which is under international sanctions. The CIA has also been involved, with director John Ratcliffe visiting Moscow in August to warn against escalating sabotage operations in Europe. The White House and the CIA have not commented on the situation, leaving many questions unanswered about the implications of these military maneuvers.
The incident underscores the heightened tensions in the Arctic, where both NATO and Russia are increasingly asserting their military presence, raising fears of potential conflicts over critical undersea infrastructure.
“The confrontation occurred near the remote Svalbard archipelago, where Russian ships were practicing with a secret sabotage weapon deployed by submersible craft. CIA director John Ratcliffe's August visit to Moscow was partly to warn Russia against escalating sabotage operations in Europe, Reuters reported.”
The Guardian
