Ministers ‘fear Russian mines planted on Britain’s sea bed and order probe’
Ministers have instructed an urgent survey of Britain’s underwater power and internet cable networks amid fears that Russia could be ramping up its “seabed warfare”, say reports.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace sent British warships into the North Sea this week to ward of Russian attacks following a series of explosions of gas pipelines in the Baltic. Ministers are now seeking to check on the UK’s key pipelines and cables to ensure that they are clear of remote mines.
Authorities in Denmark are still looking into a series of blasts which damaged the critical Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines last month.
The West believe the Russian military is likely behind the attacks as part of its campaign to place an energy stranglehold on countries that support Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian invasion. Moscow has denied any responsibility.
A government source told the Daily Mail that “everyone is watching the Danish investigation very closely” to see who was responsible, but that “there is also the question of how it was done”.
“Was it a direct attack?” they asked. “Or were mines pre-placed some time in the past and detonated remotely?”
“If it is the latter then it raises questions about where else mines might have been placed.” The source noted that there has been “suspicious Russian submarine activity around our undersea infrastructure for years” and therefore Britain needs to ensure its maritime security”.
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Mr Wallace told the Conservative Party conference that the “mysterious” damage caused to the Nord Stream pipelines was a reminder of how “fragile” UK infrastructure and the economy were in the face of “hybrid attacks”.
“The Nordic states and ourselves are deeply vulnerable to people doing things on our cables and our pipelines,” he added.
This week, Mr Wallce ordered the deployment of British warship HMS Somerset – equipped with tracking capabilities – to the North Sea to deter Russian attacks. Survey vessel HMS Enterprise has also been sent to the area.
The Defence Secretary also confirmed plans to purchase a pair of multi-role ocean surveillance ships which will assist with the UK’s deterrence campaign against Russian seabed warfare. Mr Wallace is said to have fast-tracked the order to increase Britain’s marine defence capabilities amid rising tensions with Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Britain’s vast undersea cable network has been identified as a vulnerable target and would cause major issues if attacked.
A 2017 report by the Policy Exchange think-tank found that 97 per cent of global communications are transmitted via cables on the sea bed and warned that an attack on them would pose an “existential threat to the UK”.