A vessel operated by the Russian military has been observed loitering off the UK’s coast, appearing to map and monitor the country’s critical undersea internet‑cable infrastructure. Yantar, which Russia describes as a “research” vessel, has been flagged by UK defence officials as conducting intelligence operations under the guise of oceanographic surveying. Sky News+2Naval News+2
According to the UK’s Ministry of Defence, the Yantar has entered UK waters multiple times this year, including near Scotland and the North Sea. During these incursions, it was monitored by British naval and aerial assets, including a submarine that surfaced nearby to signal that the UK was tracking its movements. Business Insider+1
What makes this alarming is that the ship is believed to be capable of deploying submersibles that can reach thousands of metres beneath the surface, and could therefore access the seabed where major data and telecom cables lie. The cables in question carry internet, communications and data flows between the UK, Europe and beyond. Wikipedia+1
British officials say this is part of a growing “grey‑zone” tactic in which hostile states probe infrastructure without openly declaring war. The concern is not just espionage, but the risk of sabotage: if key cables are cut or tampered with, it could affect internet traffic, communications and even national security. The Guardian+1
For businesses and home users alike, this highlights how dependent we are on undersea infrastructure — and how some of the threats are below the waves and below the radar. As the UK increases its capabilities to protect these assets, the message is: stay alert, secure your connectivity paths, and be aware that even seemingly remote risks matter.