russia is preparing attacks on submarine cables in Europe
British media and analysts report that russian intelligence ships and drones are actively collecting data on underwater cables and pipelines in Europe.
The UK Secretary of Defense John Healey confirmed that russian intelligence is using the ship “yantar” to gather information about underwater infrastructure, and drone activity is being recorded near the cables.
Underwater cables carry 95% of the world’s internet traffic and up to $10 trillion in daily financial transactions. Given the war against Ukraine, analysts believe kremlin views such attacks as a way to destabilize the West and pressure Ukraine’s allies. Such sabotage would have consequences not only for the defense sector but also for finance, logistics, and communications.
▫️ In January, the British Parliament initiated an investigation into the condition and security of underwater communications. Similar risks are being recorded in other regions of Europe — cases of cable damage are already being considered in the Baltic Sea.
The Center previously reported on other hybrid attacks by russia on Europe’s critical infrastructure. In particular, there has been a sharp increase in GPS jamming incidents in the Baltic Sea, which pose a threat to civil aviation.
Such operations are part of the kremlin’s systemic strategy — weakening Europe through sabotage, disinformation, and intimidation of the population to reduce support for Ukraine.
