Recent reports suggest that Russia is allegedly operating a program to undermine the functioning of wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea, according to a joint investigation by public broadcasters from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
The investigation suggests that Russia is using a fleet of vessels disguised as fishing trawlers and research vessels in the region, equipped with underwater surveillance equipment, to survey and map potential key sites for future sabotage.
The BBC has learned that UK officials are aware of the Russian vessels operating in the North Sea as part of this program.
A Danish counter-intelligence officer has stated that the plans for sabotage are being prepared in the event of a full conflict with the West. Meanwhile, the head of Norwegian intelligence has confirmed that the program is highly important for Russia and controlled directly from Moscow.
The broadcasters claim to have intercepted Russian communications that suggest ghost ships sailing in Nordic waters have turned off their transmitters to avoid detection.
The report highlights a Russian vessel named Admiral Vladimirsky, which is officially an Expeditionary Oceanographic Ship or an underwater research vessel. However, the investigation alleges that it is a Russian spy ship, equipped with surveillance equipment.
The documentary uses an anonymous former UK Royal Navy expert to track the movements of the vessel in the vicinity of seven wind farms off the coast of the UK and the Netherlands on one mission.
The expert claims that the vessel slows down when approaching areas with wind farms and loiters in the area. The vessel reportedly sailed for a month with its transmitter turned off.
The same ship was reportedly seen off the Scottish coast last year. The vessel was observed entering the Moray Firth on 10 November and seen about 30 nautical miles east of Lossiemouth, home to the RAF's Maritime Patrol Aircraft fleet, before heading slowly west.
The BBC understands that UK officials are aware of Russian intentions to conduct undersea mapping, including using boats that move around in UK waters. While specific threats to the UK are being investigated, officials have declined to comment on the activities that may have been looked at so far. The first in a series of reports was broadcasted on Wednesday by DR in Denmark, NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, and Yle in Finland.
Source: BBC