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Prowling the coast of Scotland, sinister Kremlin spy ships that could plunge us ALL into darkness
Analysis of four and a half years of vessel tracking found more than 500 incidents in which 17 Russian trawlers hovered over or followed the routes of undersea communications cables near Britain. The findings have raised concerns that civilian fishing vessels may be gathering precise information that could help Russia target infrastructure vital to the UK and its allies.
More than 60 subsea cables carry 99 per cent of Britain’s internet data, supporting services including banking, healthcare, transport and mobile communications. The article cites vessels moving slowly near the Atlantic Crossing 1, Hibernia Express and SHEFA-2 cables, as well as recent Russian tankers idling over gas pipelines; a Nato source said authorities were aware of the fishing ships’ activity.
In short
- Tracking data identified over 500 incidents involving 17 Russian trawlers near cables.
- Undersea cables carry 99 per cent of Britain’s internet data.
- Slow vessel movements have raised concern about possible surveillance of critical infrastructure.