Russian tug Sarmat spent nearly a week operating around critical underwater cables off the coast of Denmark with seabed-capable equipment

Russian tugboat Sarmat operated near critical underwater cables off the Danish coast for nearly a week, from September 15 to 22, according to open source intelligence (OSINT) project Russian Forces Spotter. The vessel, owned by Northern Alliance LLC and flying the Russian flag, was towing a jack-up barge fitted with seabed-capable equipment, including an excavator.

OSINT analysts reported that the Sarmat was in the region between September 18 and 23, operating between the island of Læsø and mainland Denmark, an area with numerous power and telecommunications cables. The tug, after initially remaining stationary from September 12 to 15, began navigating along the Danish coast between the mainland and Læsø on the 15th.

It did not leave the area where cables were laid until September 22, and departed for Norway’s southern coast by the 24th. As of October 1, the tug was moving northeast along the Norwegian coast toward Murmansk. Danish authorities formed a local crisis management group and prepared to respond if any illegal activity was detected, after a concerned citizen alerted the Læsø municipality. Despite the high risk of sabotage, it remains unconfirmed whether any act of sabotage occurred.