BREAKING: The UK is on high alert as Russian sabotage submarines from the secretive Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI) are reportedly preparing to deploy to British waters, according to General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the head of the Royal Navy. This alarming development raises significant concerns about the security of the UK’s undersea infrastructure.
Earlier this month, Royal Navy submarines tracked the Krasnodar as it navigated the English Channel, underscoring the escalating threat from Russian naval operations. Jenkins emphasized that GUGI vessels are designed to operate undetected, targeting critical cables and pipelines that are essential for UK connectivity.
In an interview with the Financial Times today, Jenkins revealed that while Moscow had encountered challenges with the GUGI program, it appears to have been reset for renewed operations. “We’re expecting them to deploy again,” he stated, highlighting that this resurgence could provide Russia with the “option for physical action.”
On December 4, 2025, Defence Secretary John Healey announced a new multi-million pound initiative, Atlantic Bastion, aimed at countering these threats. This high-tech force will see Royal Navy warships and aircraft collaborate with autonomous vehicles and AI technology to safeguard vital undersea assets from potential sabotage.
The UK’s Defence Secretary noted a staggering 30% increase in Russian activity off the British coast over the past two years, with the surveillance ship Yantar spotted twice in 2025 alone. Jenkins warned that the UK effectively shares a border with Russia in the open seas to the north, and any assumption that eastern Europe provides a buffer is dangerously complacent.
“The comfort taken from being an island is a false comfort,” Jenkins warned.
A report from Parliament’s Defence Committee last month criticized the government for lacking a coherent plan to defend the homeland and overseas territories. Chaired by Labour MP Tan Dhesi, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s slow response on pressing defence matters, emphasizing the urgent need for a national conversation on security.
The situation is developing rapidly, and experts are cautioning that the UK must remain vigilant against potential threats from the Russian military. As tensions rise, the effectiveness of initiatives like Atlantic Bastion may be tested in the coming weeks and months.
Stay informed as this story unfolds. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
