The Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, has responded to allegations that Russia has planted sensors in the seas around Great Britain to track UK nuclear submarines. While he did not deny the possibility of such tracking efforts, he dismissed concerns that these activities pose a threat to British security.
Speaking in an interview, Kelin stated, “I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarines with very old outdated nuclear warheads… all these threats are extremely exaggerated.” He went on to emphasize, “I’m denying the existence of threats for the United Kingdom. This threat has been invented, absolutely, there is no threat at all from Russia to the UK.”
The ambassador’s comments follow an investigative report by the Sunday Times, which revealed the discovery of alleged Russian sensors in waters surrounding Britain. The report claims these devices were deployed by Moscow to gather intelligence on the UK’s Vanguard submarines, which carry nuclear missiles. The British military reportedly classified the sensors as a potential threat to national security.
These activities have been linked to what experts describe as “grey zone” warfare, a strategy that includes covert operations targeting critical infrastructure. Other examples of such tactics include damaging energy pipelines and mapping underwater cable networks for potential sabotage.
Recent months have seen increased scrutiny of Russian naval operations near British waters. In March, the Royal Navy released images of a Russian warship, Boikiy, near the British coast, along with reports of Russian spy ships like Yantar mapping underwater infrastructure.
Former Conservative minister Tobias Ellwood has warned about the UK’s vulnerability in monitoring Russia’s deep-sea operations. Ellwood described Russia’s deployment of remote seabed platforms and mini-submarines as part of a broader effort to map undersea cable networks, potentially preparing for acts of sabotage.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has pledged to bolster the security of critical underwater infrastructure. “We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure,” an MoD spokesperson said. Efforts include leveraging new technologies like artificial intelligence and coordinating patrols with NATO allies.
Despite heightened concerns, the MoD emphasized that the UK’s nuclear deterrent, known for its continuous-at-sea patrols, remains undetected, ensuring national security.
As tensions between the UK and Russia escalate, the government’s commitment to safeguarding vital underwater assets continues to be a key priority.
