The UK government has said the Royal Navy disrupted a covert Russian submarine operation in the North Sea, forcing Moscow to abandon the activity after a month-long mission.
Defence secretary John Healey said the navy intervened during the operation, which he described as part of a wider pattern of Russian behaviour at sea. The disclosure came as ministers continued to highlight concerns about Russian activity around British waters and across Europe.
At the same time, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper declined to confirm reports that a Russian warship had been escorting two sanctioned Russian ships through the English Channel.
Those vessels are understood to be carrying oil sold to help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine. The UK government recently announced that the armed forces have been authorised to board sanctioned ships in British waters in order to stop them.
Asked about the reports, Cooper said the government had now given permission for action to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet, but stressed that any operational decisions would then need to be made by the military in the proper way.
Her comments suggested ministers are taking a firmer line on Russian maritime activity, while stopping short of confirming the specific reports published this morning.
Cooper also pointed to wider concerns about Russian threats beyond the UK. She said there were indications not only of how the Russian shadow fleet is operating, but also of increased Russian threats to Britain and to Europe more broadly.
The remarks form part of a broader debate inside government over how to respond to Russian activity in surrounding waters. The shadow fleet issue has become a growing focus for ministers, especially as sanctioned shipping continues to play a role in generating revenue for the war in Ukraine.
Healey’s account of the North Sea operation adds to that picture, suggesting that the Royal Navy has already been active in countering Russian underwater operations in the region. The government has not released further operational details.
The developments come amid ongoing scrutiny of how far the UK should go in using military powers against sanctioned vessels and other Russian assets at sea. Ministers have framed the policy as a practical response to a changing security environment, while military commanders are expected to determine how such powers are applied in individual cases.
As the political conversation continues, the government is presenting Russian maritime activity as both an immediate operational issue and part of a wider challenge to European security.
