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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.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Repeated Russian vessel activity near undersea cables could be a legitimate security concern: mapping routes or vulnerabilities might help a state disrupt communications on which essential services depend. Given the scale of Britain’s reliance on these links, supporters of closer surveillance and stronger protection argue that authorities should act prudently even when the vessels’ intentions are uncertain.
The case against
Vessel tracking shows where ships travelled, but does not by itself establish that they were spying or preparing sabotage; fishing vessels may have ordinary reasons to operate in those waters. Treating ambiguous activity as hostile without further evidence risks inflaming tensions, so responses should be proportionate, evidence-led and careful to distinguish suspicion from confirmed intent.