April 9, 2026

Defence Secretary John Healey issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin as he revealed the British military foiled a Russian submarine operation to survey vital undersea infrastructure near the UK. Mr Healey told the Russian President “we see you” as he confirmed UK and allies tracked a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines in the North Atlantic for a month before they retreated.

Addressing the Russian leader, he said: “We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.” Mr Healey said there was “no evidence” the Russian submarines caused any damage but that the UK would seek to verify this with allies. A Royal Navy warship and P8 submarine-hunter aircraft were deployed to “track and deter any malign activity” by the three Russian submarines.

 

Britain says it has throttled a Russian undersea spying mission in the North Atlantic, with Defence Secretary John Healey warning Vladimir Putin “we see you” after UK and allies tracked an attack submarine and two spy boats circling vital cables and pipelines for a month before they turned back. Healey said any attempt to damage Britain’s undersea infrastructure “will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences,” as a Royal Navy warship and P8 aircraft were scrambled to shadow the vessels 24/7 alongside Norway and other allies. No damage has been found, but the message from London is blunt: Putin’s shadow war beneath the waves is being watched, and answered.

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