Reuters: Russian military tested new technology in northern Atlantic to disable undersea communications cables
Russian military personnel attempted to test new technology designed to disable undersea communications cables in the northern Atlantic Ocean in April, two Western officials told the Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity.
In April, Russian military personnel reportedly tested a new technology in the northern Atlantic Ocean aimed at disabling undersea communications cables, according to two Western officials speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters. Britain’s Defense Ministry had previously noted Russian underwater vehicles in the region, accusing them of malicious activity against cables and pipelines.
NATO allies detected a Russian submarine during this time, which was later found to be distracting attention from two Russian Defense Ministry-operated underwater vehicles. Britain’s Defense Ministry warned the Russians of their presence, after which the submarines left the area. The exact location and activities of the submarines were not disclosed.
Reuters sources mentioned the submarines were near Svalbard, where the cables connect to mainland Norway, and that the cables were not damaged. Britain and Norway informed Russia about the technology tests. American military personnel also participated in the operation, a detail previously unreported. It is unclear if Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic was discussed during CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow.
The White House did not comment on the matter, and Russia's Defense Ministry declined to provide a response. The specifics of the new technology for disabling undersea cables tested by the Russian military were not specified.
Written by urgent.news from Meduza (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
