Putin can crash Starmer's weak UK with deniable covert-op 'akin to major military attack'

Imagine a world where a single cut could throw a nation into chaos. A new report reveals that Britain’s undersea cables the very arteries of our digital and financial life may be far more vulnerable than most of us realise.

According to the report, just 60 undersea cables could be enough for Russia to cripple the UK’s communications and data networks. These cables carry 99% of Britain’s data, linking everything from London’s financial district to Wall Street, and connecting Europe to North America. Experts point to Vladimir Putin’s “shadow fleet” stealthy vessels operating to avoid sanctions as capable of sabotaging telecommunications lines, energy pipelines, and electricity cables that keep nations connected.

Britain is especially exposed. Experts warn that a deliberate attack on these cables would be “akin to a major military strike,” potentially disrupting everyday life and the economy. The UK has 45 international cables, with roughly £1.15 trillion in financial transactions flowing through them every day.

Professor James Bergeron and Charlotte Kleberg of the Council on Geostrategy explained that while accidental damage like storms or anchor dragging is unlikely to seriously threaten the network, a coordinated attack on multiple key cables could cause catastrophic disruption.

Russia, they say, poses a specific threat. Engaged in its conflict with Ukraine, Moscow seeks to dissuade NATO and EU countries from supporting Kyiv. With land forces stretched, the Kremlin increasingly views maritime operations as a low-profile, yet powerful tool. Their strategy blurs the line between peace and war, exploiting the “sub-threshold” space where attacks are difficult to attribute.

The consequences of such disruption are staggering: without the internet and cloud services, air and sea transport would grind to a halt, the NHS could struggle to operate, salaries wouldn’t reach bank accounts, and supermarket shelves could go empty. Widespread damage could even threaten national security.

The report also suggests that the UK might not respond unless a major incident occurs, noting that Russia’s current tactics aim for “structural damage” below the threshold likely to provoke retaliation.

Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace highlighted the UK’s vulnerability, noting that any nation reliant on energy imports faces risks from countries like Russia. While some defence measures are in place, Wallace stressed that more investment is needed to secure Britain’s undersea infrastructure.

Political questions are emerging too. Labour leader Keir Starmer recently avoided specifying when the UK would reach its 3% GDP defence spending target during Prime Minister’s Questions, instead turning the spotlight on the Tories’ historical defence record.

Meanwhile, the Royal Navy has raised alarms about Russia expanding its elite deep-sea sabotage unit a covert force capable of physically attacking vital seabed infrastructure. Recent months have seen increased Russian surveillance of UK undersea cables. In December, Defence Secretary John Healey reported that a Russian spy ship used lasers to deter RAF pilots monitoring its movements near British waters, marking the second Yantar incident last year. The UK, he confirmed, keeps military options ready should further provocations occur.

In short, Britain’s undersea lifelines are a hidden vulnerability, and protecting them is becoming a matter of national security. With global tensions rising, the stakes couldn’t be higher.