Overview
- Defence Secretary John Healey, who spoke Thursday in Downing Street, said UK forces and allies tracked an Akula attack sub and two GUGI spy subs for more than a month near cables and pipelines before the Russian units withdrew.
- The Royal Navy used frigate HMS St Albans, support ship RFA Tidespring and Merlin helicopters, while RAF P-8 patrol aircraft and sonobuoys maintained 24/7 contact alongside Norway and other partners.
- Officials reported no evidence of damage to UK subsea cables or gas pipelines and said the activity took place in the UK exclusive economic zone rather than inside territorial waters.
- Press reports Wednesday said the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich escorted two sanctioned tankers through the English Channel as the UK retains legal authority to seize shadow fleet ships and as Moscow warns it may respond to any seizures.
- Undersea fibre-optic cables carry over 99% of international data traffic and gas lines heat UK homes, and ministers cited new spending of £100 million for P-8 aircraft and a broader upgrade of NATO-linked undersea defenses.