Description: The UK Navy has discovered several Russian spy sensors in UK waters, most likely attempting to obtain information on UK’s nuclear capabilities. Sensors were discovered on the seabed across the island while some of them were also washed ashore. UK military officials have stated they were highly aware of Russian hybrid warfare attempts especially concerning UK’s nuclear capabilities and the UK Navy has actively countered several espionage and sabotage attempts in the past couple of months. Military officials also stated that Russian oligarch yachts were also used for surveillance operations and reconnaissance of possible target locations as well as other forms of gathering information. The discovery of the sensors arrives at a sensitive time of elevated UK – Russia tensions, as recent diplomatic expulsions and the discovery of a Russian spy ring in the UK exacerbated the situation.
Impact: The escalation of tensions between UK and Russia enters a new phase where substantial espionage efforts by Russian forces were subverted by the UK Navy. The continuous targeting of UK military capabilities signals that Russia considers the UK to be one of the top targets within EU and a main obstacle for expansion of Russian interests and influence within the continent. Animosities between the countries are expected to be on the rise ever since Russia warmed up to the US and EU countries were left out in the cold, scrambling to conceptualize prospective strategies. The constant covert attempts also confirmed that the UK – France led coalition of the willing also represented a serious threat to Russian interests, which is aimed at incentivizing Europe to rearm itself, and deliver an independent economic strategy going forward.