Russian boats spotted loitering over undersea cables connecting Europe and US

Date:
Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Description:
Russian trawlers have been recorded mapping the undersea cables connnecting the US and Europe, with over 500 incidents recorded in less than 5 years

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Russia appears to be using civilian vessels to spy on critical undersea cables between the US and Europe The UK relies on the cables for around economic activity that amounts to 65 billion a year Maritime law severely limits engagement with civilian vessels in international waters Russian civilian vessels are being used to map undersea cables linking the UK and Europe with the United States, according
to an investigation by The Telegraph , which adds that fishing trawlers are performing espionage in the waters around Britain.

Analysis by the publication has found evidence of over 500 incidents carried out by what are described as commercial proxies, the use of which appears to sit within a 2022 maritime doctrine approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at mobilizing fishing and other civilian vessels. If the information was used aggressively, undersea cables could be targeted and disrupt banking, transport, and even trans-continental mobile phone data. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Commercial proxies In response to the investigation, the British government has announced a
security crackdown, with sentencing and fines for anyone proven to have sabotaged undersea cables.

Fishing vessels conducting undercover undersea operations may seem like something straight out of a Tom Clancy book or a James Bond movie, but with over 500 recorded incidents, it appears to be happening. You may like NATO prevented Russia from cutting a critical undersea cable using a tool that leaves no 'traceable fingerprints' on fibre-optic wires 1,400km long lines are part of NASA's Near Space Network Chinese ship spotted 'lurking' near Taiwan's subsea internet cables linking it to the US Norwegian firm pitches new undersea cable which will bypass the US entirely 2,800-mile link aims to connect Europe and Canada

The Telegraph s analysis found several repeated actions in the movement of civilian vessels around undersea cables, and while their general path is publicly available, is is believed that the surveillance sought to establish specific routes. With this information, the undersea cables could be more accurately targeted by saboteurs.

Weve been pretty clear, and the head of MI5 has been pretty clear, that
Russia is starting to use commercial proxies in order to do some of their
work for them in that space", noted Britains telecoms minister Ian Murray, adding the publication of the investigation may deter some of those
commercial proxies that might be doing the work for hostile state actors. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro
newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Active monitoring Some 17 vessels were identified by the investigation, with one spending 113 hours apparently surveying nine cables, and another repeatedly crossing over cables. Photography of the vessels concerned raised eyebrows, with a senior naval officer observing of one: The hold could be easily used for other activities to store an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

Tethered ROVs could potentially map the precise location of undersea cables, according to naval experts. Additionally, vessels travelling at slow sped could use sonar to map the seabed. One civilian craft spent 42 minutes around the trans-Atlantic Hibernia Express cable, moving at under two knots.

The British government has introduced proposals that will replace its
outdated Submarine Telegraph Act 1885, with intentional damage of undersea cables carrying a maximum 14 prison sentence. Unlimited fines are also planned.

The Royal Navy has sought to reassure the British public, with a source telling The Telegraph that Were clearly watching Russia, watching what theyre doing for the security of the nation. We are actively monitoring them at sea. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/russian-boats-spotted-loitering-over-undersea-ca bles-connecting-europe-and-us


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