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UK undersea cables worth £7.4 trillion a day under ‘real threat’ from Russia

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2024-11-18 15:00:12

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The UK’s vast web of undersea cables, interconnectors and pipelines are under a “very real and present threat” from Russia, a former Navy chief told Parliament.

Lord West of Spithead warned the Government that cables crucial to communication systems around the world are potentially vulnerable to hostile activity, which could cause “major damage to our nation”, including cutting financial activity of up to £7.4 trillion per day.

His comments came amid reports of increased Russian submarine activity thought to be involved in cable-mapping in preparation for war with Nato, in which targeting this infrastructure could help Vladimir Putin inflict maximum damage.

The former head of the Royal Navy told the House of Lords: “The actions and statements of President Putin would seem to indicate that he actually already considers that he is at war with this country and the West, if you just look at the raft of things he has done.“

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