UK issues stark warning to Putin over Russian submarines spotted in North Atlantic

The UK has issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin after Russian attack and spy submarines were found operating in the North Atlantic.

Defence secretary John Healey revealed UK and allies monitored the vessels for a month before they retreated.

Speaking from Downing Street on Thursday, he said that in the past few weeks, while many eyes were trained on the Middle East crisis, the UK, in partnership with Norway and other allies, responded to “increased Russian activity” in the Atlantic north of the UK.

Addressing the Russian president directly, Mr Healey said: “We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.”

It comes after the Telegraph reported that Russia sent a warship to escort sanctioned oil tankers through the English channel, despite Keir Starmer’s warning that sanctioned vessels sailing in British waters would be seized.

Black Sea fleet frigate Admiral Grigorovich is said to have accompanied a pair of shadow fleet ships on Wednesday, which were followed by a British naval vessel.

According to the newspaper, the vessel observed the flotilla off England’s south coast while RFA Tideforce, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker, was in their wake.

It comes after the prime minister last month said that the Navy will intercept Russia’s shadow fleet. The armed forces and British law enforcement are now able to board and halt sanctioned vessels that are passing through UK waters.

Sir Keir’s announcement came in conjunction with European allies in an attempt to cut off funding for Moscow’s war with Ukraine,

It is understood that Russia’s shadow fleet consists of approximately 700 vessels, carrying around 40 per cent of all Russian oil exports. The UK has sanctioned 544 Russian shadow fleet vessels to date.

They illicitly ship oil and other goods out of Russia by flying the flags of other countries, with the aim of evading sanctions imposed by the West since the invasion of Ukraine began.

The foreign secretary said on Thursday that the government has given permission for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet but would not comment on the details of military operations.

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