Putin Seeks To Distract UK With Middle East War, Minister Warns

Vladimir Putin wants the UK to be distracted by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, according to the British defence secretary.

John Healey revealed how British forces have uncovered “increased Russian activity in the Atlantic, north of the UK” while giving a statement from Downing Street.

He said a nuclear-powered attack submarine and two specialist submarines from Russia’s main directorate for deep sea research were detected in the Atlantic Ocean.

These ships were in the UK’s exclusive economic zone. It’s not clear what they were threatening to do, but Healey pointed out that Britain has undersea fibre optic cables which are key for the UK’s digital communications.

He claimed these vessels were all directed by the Russian president to “conduct hybrid activities against the UK and our allies, specifically around critical undersea infrastructure”.

He said the submarines are meant to survey underwater infrastructure “during peacetime and sabotage it in conflict”.

The UK military has been tracking these vessels by sea and air in a month-long mission with allies.

The attack submarine – since discovered to have been a distraction from the Russian forces to shift focus from the other vessels – has since “retreated home”, while the specialist submarines are still being monitored.

The defence secretary said there was no evidence the submarines caused any damage to UK pipelines or cables.

“We wanted to ensure that we could warn them that their covert operation had been exposed and reduce the risk that they made to attempt any action that could damage our pipelines or our cables,” he said.

When asked if the timing of these Russian operations was deliberately timed in line with the Iran war, Healey said: “I’m pretty clear that Putin would want us to be distracted by the Middle East.

“What I’m setting out today demonstrates that we are not just exposing his covert operation, but we are saying to him that we recognise Russia as the primary threat to the UK and to Nato, and that we will not take our eyes off Putin, whilst at the same time we act to protect our British interests and our British allies in the Middle East.”

Putin is a known ally to Iran, and according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, helping Tehran target US bases in the Middle East.

When asked about the reports that Russian shadow fleet ships escorted sanctioned tankers through the English Channel, Healey said the UK stands “ready to take action” and to “interdict shadow fleet vessels”.

“Any attempt to damage [undersea cables] will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences,” he said.

“Our message to Putin, it’s deliberate and it’s clear: We see you. We see your activity over our pipelines and our cables. And we will not tolerate any attempt to damage what our way of life and our modern way of life depends on so much.”

The UK has seen a 30% increase in Russian vessels posing a threat to British waters over the last two years.

Keir Starmer reacted to the update saying: “We will not shy away from taking action and exposing Russia’s destabilising activity that seeks to test our resolve.

“Our armed forces are among the best in the world, and the British public should be in no doubt that this government will do whatever it takes to defend our national and economic security, wherever in the world that is needed.”