Russian Civilian Vessels Mapped Undersea Cables, Telegraph Investigation Finds

The Telegraph’s analysis found evidence of the incidents and said the use of commercial proxies appeared to sit within a 2022 maritime doctrine approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at mobilizing fishing and other civilian vessels. If the mapping information were used aggressively, the cables could be targeted and disrupt banking, transport and even trans-continental mobile phone data. The UK relies on the cables for around £65 billion a year in economic activity, according to the report.

Britain’s government responded by announcing a security crackdown, with sentencing and fines for anyone proven to have sabotaged undersea cables. Telecoms minister Ian Murray said the government and the head of MI5 had been clear that Russia was starting to use commercial proxies “in order to do some of their work for them in that space.” He added that publication of the investigation may “deter some of those commercial proxies that might be doing the work for hostile state actors.”

The investigation identified 17 vessels. One spent 113 hours apparently surveying nine cables, while another repeatedly crossed over cables. A senior naval officer, commenting on a photograph of one vessel, said: “The hold could be easily used for other activities to store an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).” Naval experts said tethered ROVs could potentially map the precise location of undersea cables, and vessels travelling at slow speed 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.

Maritime law severely limits engagement with civilian vessels in international waters. The British government has introduced proposals to replace the outdated Submarine Telegraph Act 1885, with intentional damage to undersea cables carrying a maximum 14-year prison sentence. Unlimited fines are also planned.

The Royal Navy has sought to reassure the British public. A source told The Telegraph: “We’re clearly watching Russia, watching what they’re doing for the security of the nation. We are actively monitoring them at sea.”

Editor's Summary

The Telegraph investigation identified more than 500 incidents involving Russian civilian vessels around undersea cables linking the UK and Europe with the US. The UK has announced a security crackdown and proposed tougher penalties for cable sabotage, while the Royal Navy says it is actively monitoring the vessels at sea.