Devices reportedly found on seabed and washed ashore raise alarms over clandestine surveillance of nuclear deterrent fleet.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Russian espionage efforts beneath the Atlantic Ocean are under scrutiny following reports that spy sensors believed to be of Russian origin were discovered both on the seabed and washed up along the United Kingdom’s coastline, according to an investigation by The Times of London.

The British Royal Navy has uncovered multiple sensing devices during its mine hunting and undersea surveillance operations, further suggesting a sustained attempt by the Kremlin to monitor critical Western underwater infrastructure, including Britain’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet and deep-sea data cables.

In one reported incident, Russian autonomous submarines were identified in proximity to NATO undersea cables without any accompanying surface vessels, implying the craft may have traveled long distances independently — a capability aligned with Russia’s known use of unmanned undersea vehicles.

Western reliance on undersea energy pipelines and data cables has made such infrastructure a focal point for potential foreign interference. Experts warn these channels, if compromised, could be used for sabotage, surveillance, or data extraction.

The UK’s strategic deterrent hinges on its fleet of ballistic missile submarines operating undetected. If confirmed, any Russian success in gathering intelligence on submarine movements could undermine that assurance. Nonetheless, the Royal Navy has publicly maintained that the deterrent remains secure and hidden.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said steps are being taken to bolster security of critical infrastructure, adding, “We are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near the UK or near NATO territory.”

Despite reassurances, former UK Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood warned that the UK is already engaged in a “grey zone war” with Russia. Ellwood cited Russian use of “remote seabed platforms” that recharge fleets of mini-submarines mapping Western cable networks, warning of the ease and affordability of such attacks.

“Ninety per cent of our data comes from the sea and 60 per cent of gas comes from Norway by one line, so you can see how vulnerable we are,” Ellwood said. “The scale of damage [they could do] is enormous and it’s deniable and it’s cheap to do. That’s the worrying dimension of all of this.”

Concerns have mounted across Europe amid the war in Ukraine, with unexplained damage to key infrastructure — including multiple cable cuts in the Baltic Sea — regularly attributed to Russia. The infamous sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines remains unresolved, fueling further speculation over Moscow’s capabilities and intent.

In one 2024 case, a Russian vessel known as the Eagle S, operating in defiance of Western sanctions, was suspected of cutting a Baltic cable. Prior inspections revealed it was heavily equipped with signal interception technology. The onboard surveillance load was so extensive that the ship reportedly suffered periodic blackouts due to power overloads.

The growing evidence of covert Russian operations beneath European waters has prompted renewed calls for NATO to intensify surveillance and protective measures around its vital undersea assets.