The HMS Somerset (right) watches two Russian naval vessels sail past the British Isles on December 27, 2024. A Russian force was encountered in the North Sea and watched as it passed through the Dover Strait into the English Channel. Photo: UK MoD.
A UK-led detection system is tracking Russia’s shadow oil tanker fleet in the Baltic Sea following attacks on undersea power and telecommunications cables.
The tracking is being conducted by the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a UK-led 10-nation European military partnership.
The UK Government says Operation Nordic Warren is using AI to identify and monitor ships of the Russian shadow fleet.
If a potential risk is flagged, a warning will be shared with JEF and NATO member countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says his government is “working closely with our allies to protect critical national infrastructure, such as undersea cables”.
“I am pleased we are launching this cutting-edge technology so soon after the JEF Summit to enhance European security and deliver on our Plan for Change.”
Nordic Warden’s activation follows damage done on Christmas Day to the Estlink2 undersea cable in the Baltic Sea which Finnish authorities say was caused by a Russian shadow oil tanker.
Russia is using a shadow fleet of vessels to try to bypass international sanctions.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey says they and the JEF are “leading the way” in helping guard offshore infrastructure.
“Nordic Warden will help protect against acts of sabotage as well as cases of extreme negligence which we have seen cause damage to underwater cables,” he says.
“Harnessing the power of AI, this UK-led system … allows us the unprecedented ability to monitor large areas of the sea with a comparatively small number of resources …”
FORCE COMMENT
On the Estlink2 damage, the JEF said in a statement that it was another example of maritime incidents causing direct economic and security implications for Finland and Estonia.
“The JEF commends Finland and Estonia for their decisive actions in dealing with the Estlink-2 power cable incident,” it said.
“We remain committed to supporting Participant Nations, NATO, and Allies in safeguarding our shared interests and regional stability.”
The JEF comprises Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden and UK.
