John Healey has revealed that Russia has been conducting covert undersea operations near critical infrastructure north of the United Kingdom in recent months, raising fresh security concerns. The activity reportedly involved an Akula-class attack submarine alongside two submarines linked to Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), a specialized unit known for deep-sea and seabed missions.
According to officials, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force responded by deploying a warship and a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to monitor the situation. The British forces tracked all three submarines as part of ongoing surveillance efforts to protect sensitive undersea infrastructure.
The Akula-class submarine has since withdrawn from the area, but the two GUGI-affiliated submarines are believed to remain on station and continue their operations under close observation. Analysts note that GUGI units are often associated with missions involving underwater cables and energy networks, which are vital to communications and national security.
The incident highlights growing concerns over the vulnerability of undersea infrastructure amid heightened geopolitical tensions and underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and deterrence efforts by Western defense forces.
