Allied forces have prevented Russia from completing military exercises near the Svalbard archipelago that involved practicing techniques for severing underwater cables. According to Reuters, both the United Kingdom and Norway had reported Russian espionage and preparatory activity near their territories as early as April.
Reuters reports that the operation took place in the vicinity of Svalbard. It has been revealed for the first time that the United States also participated in the allied efforts that forced the Russian military to abandon the drills. Reuters notes that its sources did not specify what measures the allies took against the Russian vessels, only that they failed to complete the exercises and eventually left the area.
No underwater cables were damaged. The drills were intended to simulate their destruction in the event of a potential conflict with NATO. The operation was conducted by Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), which is responsible for deep-water operations.
Strategic importance of Svalbard infrastructure
The Svalbard archipelago holds a unique legal status defined by the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. Its significance is also tied to the underwater infrastructure located there.
Two fiber-optic cables, each approximately 1,400 km long, connect Svalbard to mainland Norway at a depth of about 2,700 meters. Among other things, they transmit satellite data from SvalSat, the world’s largest ground station for satellite data reception.
Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Russia’s development of such capabilities could be significant in a potential conflict with NATO. Destroying underwater cables could disrupt internet connectivity, data transmission, and financial transactions, while also complicating the operation of military and civilian infrastructure, Reuters notes.
Russia increasingly mapping underwater infrastructure
According to Reuters, the number of vessels moving near underwater infrastructure to map it has been rising since 2023. These vessels pass directly over or in close proximity to cables, pipelines, and power lines.
Data from the company Windward shows that in 2024, the number of such incidents in the North Sea increased by 52%, exceeding 13,000. Experts believe this large-scale mapping may be linked to preparations for potential sabotage.
Norway Minister of Defence Tore Sandvik stated that the joint allied operation sent a clear signal to Russia: its activities will not go unnoticed. He added that any attempt to attack critical infrastructure would be detected and have consequences, Reuters reported.
Source: Gazeta.pl
