Royal Navy Monitors Russian Vessel Near Critical Undersea Infrastructure
The Royal Navy has been closely tracking a Russian cargo ship after it spent approximately fourteen hours in close proximity to vital undersea data cables within the Bristol Channel. The vessel, identified as the Sinegorsk, was observed travelling through the channel in south-west England on Tuesday evening, eventually halting about two nautical miles off the coast of Minehead.
Security Concerns Over Undersea Cable Proximity
This incident has sparked significant security apprehensions, particularly given the strategic importance of the submerged cables in the area. Reports indicate that within a quarter-mile radius of the Sinegorsk's position were five crucial undersea data cables. These include two connections from the TGN Atlantic cable system, which links the United Kingdom directly to New York, and another known as EXA Express, connecting Britain to Nova Scotia in Canada. Additional cables are understood to link to Spain and Portugal, forming part of the global communications backbone.
The movements have been described as deeply suspicious by Conservative shadow security minister Alicia Kearns. She emphasised that the ship's positioning directly over transatlantic deep-sea data cables serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats facing the nation from Vladimir Putin's Russia, especially following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Official Response and Vessel Departure
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport confirmed that a clear warning was issued to the Sinegorsk to leave UK waters after it entered to conduct what were described as essential safety repairs. The directive was complied with, and the vessel has since departed. The spokesperson reiterated the government's commitment to taking strong action against Russian-flagged ships, including through robust sanctions aimed at deterring and disrupting activities associated with the so-called shadow fleet.
Information from the maritime tracking website MarineTraffic detailed the Sinegorsk's journey along the Bristol Channel on Tuesday night, with its stop near Minehead occurring around 11 pm. The vessel's most recent port call prior to this incident was three weeks ago at the Russian trading port of Arkhangelsk in north-western Russia.
Broader Context of Russian Maritime Activity
This event occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions and previous incidents involving Russian vessels in or near UK waters. In November 2025, it was revealed that a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, had been lurking north of Scotland and attempted to interfere with Royal Navy operations. Operated by Russia's elusive deep-sea research unit GUGI, the Yantar is suspected by Western intelligence of mapping critical undersea infrastructure, such as internet cables.
During that earlier incident, Defence Secretary John Healey reported that the Yantar had attempted to jam the GPS systems of the Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and directed military-grade lasers at pilots of RAF P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft. He described these actions as a deeply dangerous provocation, marking the first instance of Russian crews using lasers against UK forces. Although the military-grade systems remained secure due to encryption, civilian-grade GPS systems were disrupted, causing what was termed low-level disruption that also affected nearby commercial vessels, including fishing boats.
In response, the Royal Navy deployed a frigate and RAF reconnaissance planes to monitor the Yantar, with rules of engagement adjusted to allow closer tracking. Mr Healey warned that military options were prepared should the vessel's behaviour escalate, underscoring a firm stance against threats to the UK's essential underwater connections.
Ongoing Vigilance and Meteorological Factors
As these maritime security concerns persist, the Met Office has issued warnings of Force 6 winds in the region, adding a layer of complexity to naval monitoring operations. The combination of challenging weather conditions and the strategic significance of undersea infrastructure underscores the need for continuous vigilance.
The repeated appearances of Russian vessels near critical UK assets highlight an ongoing pattern of behaviour that authorities are treating with utmost seriousness. The government's message remains clear: such activities are being closely watched, and any threats to national security will be met with a determined and robust response.
