UK issues brutal 5-word warning to Putin after clash with Russian submarine | World | News
The UK today issued Russia a stark warning after the British military foiled a Russian submarine operation to survey vital undersea infrastructure near the UK. Ambassador Neil Holland warned Putin he “cannot operate in secret” as he spoke in Vienna on Thursday.
Holland, who is the Head of the UK Delegation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the Austrian capital, spoke on behalf of the UK, Norway and the Netherlands after it was confirmed the UK and allies had tracked a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines in the North Atlantic for a month before they retreated.
Holland addressed the update given by Defence Secretary John Healey on April 9 regarding Russia‘s activity in the Atlantic amid leaders’ increased focus on the Middle East crisis. The month-long covert operatved the Russian Akula-class attack submarine and two spy submarines, which have since retreated. Two of the vessels were from the Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research (known as GUGI).
GUGI is Russia’s long-running military programme to develop capabilities to be deployed from specialist surface vessels and submarines, which are intended to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime, but then damage or destroy infrastructure during a conflict.
Holland said the vessels were directed by Russia to “conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK and its Allies, specifically around Critical Undersea Infrastructure”, the invisible network of seafloor cables that ensure that the internet, data sharing and financial transactions work.
He added that the vessels are “designed to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime, and be prepared to sabotage it in conflict.” Responding to the incident, he added the UK deployed Armed Forces to “track and deter any malign activity by these vessels”.
Holland concluded his statement with a clear response to Russia.
He said: “Our message to Russia is this: you cannot operate in secret. We are ready to meet the increased threat in the North Atlantic. The UK and our Allies are ready to respond to any threat to our Critical Undersea Infrastructure. And any attempt to damage our Critical Undersea Infrastructure would have serious consequences.”
Earlier, Healey said: “As we act to defend our interests and Allies in the Middle East, we are tackling increasing threats to NATO in the High North, maintaining strong support for Ukraine and protecting our UK homeland.
“To Putin, I say this: we see you, we see your activity over our underwater infrastructure. You should know that any attempt to damage it will not be tolerated and would have serious consequences.”
