The horror scenario: This is how Russia could paralyze Britain in seconds

A new report in Great Britain causes deep concern in the security system and among experts, according to which Russia could seriously damage the United Kingdom by damaging vital underwater infrastructure. According to the report, damage to only about 60 underwater communication cables, out of a network that transmits about 99% of Britain’s digital information, could paralyze the country and cause extensive damage to the economy and the routine of life.

According to a report published in the “Daily Mail”, security experts warn that ships of the “ghost fleet” of Russian President Vladimir Putin may be the focus of a “hybrid” attack on the kingdom’s infrastructure. According to them, Britain is particularly vulnerable, and a large-scale damage to the submarine cables would be equivalent to the effect of a significant military attack. These vessels, which work secretly to bypass the sanctions on Russia and export oil, have already over the past few years deliberately damaged communication cables, oil and gas pipelines and electricity cables that connect countries to each other.

The United Kingdom currently has 45 submarine cables that connect it to other countries, and financial transactions totaling approximately 1.15 trillion pounds pass through them every day. These cables link Wall Street to the “City of London” (the historic financial district in the capital of Great Britain) and between financial capitals in Europe and partners in North America. Damage to them could undermine the global financial system.

Experts who spoke with the “Daily Mail” stated that accidental damage as a result of weather or dragging anchors is not expected to significantly threaten the British network. However, they emphasized that a coordinated effort to actively damage several central information cables at the same time could cause serious damage. According to them, the information cables are difficult to monitor and protect, and are vulnerable to deliberate actions, and said that Russia becomes a “special challenge” in this regard.

In recent years, Russia has been waging a veritable combined (hybrid) war against NATO countries and the European Union, against the background of the war in Ukraine and support for Kiev. As part of this war, Russia, always through third parties that send (proxies) cyber attacks, sabotage, vandalism, etc. Increasing concern that this support may come at a heavy price.

As Russia’s land forces have been eroded, naval activity using non-belligerent vessels is seen as a convenient means of operations below the “threshold of open conflict” and in the “space of denial” so that Russia can disclaim responsibility for the action. In addition, the Kremlin has made it clear in the past that it does not see a sharp line between peace and war, but rather a continuous sequence of actions.

The authors of the report warn of a scenario of severe damage to air and sea transport activities, critical parts of the national health services, salaries that will not go into bank accounts and supermarket shelves that may be emptied. Any such large-scale disruption could, according to them, threaten national security.

The report even questions the willingness of the Labor government to escalate the confrontation with Moscow as long as a particularly serious event does not occur, and it is possible that such an event will be purely security. It is argued that Russia’s current actions are causing structural damage, but remain below the threshold from which the UK would be prepared to respond with aggravation. The core of this strategy, according to the report, is plausible deniability, with some incidents appearing to be accidents or negligence and others suspicious but not unequivocally proven.

The Commander of the Royal Navy, General Sir Gavin Jenkins, has warned that Russia is returning to invest large sums in a secret submarine sabotage unit, capable of carrying out physical operations against critical infrastructure on the seabed. In recent months, it has been reported, the Kremlin has increased surveillance of Britain’s undersea communications cables.

Last December, British Defense Secretary John Healy said that the Russian spy ship “Intar” used lasers to drive away Royal Air Force pilots who were monitoring its activities near British waters. He said it was the second time that year that the ship, defined as an “oceanographic research vessel”, had entered British waters, and that Britain had ready military options if the ship had changed course.

Against this background, it was reported in the British magazine i Because Britain is preparing to intensify the measures against the ghost fleet of Russian ships. Yesterday, the British armed forces assisted the US military in seizing a Russian oil tanker, as part of a joint operation that lasted about two weeks in the waters between Great Britain and Iceland. Security officials indicated that this is a new stage in what is known as the “Grey War” between Russia and the West.

The government in London clarified that it does not rule out participating in further operations in the future against vessels of the Ghost Fleet, and that it intends to continue to increase the activity against sabotage of submarine cables, among other things by increasing fines on vessels involved in this. According to the Defense Secretary, these measures are designed to protect national security, the economy and global stability, and to ensure that Britain remains safe and strong.