Ghost vessels mapping wind farms and cables have prompted concerns that Russian’spy ships’ will sabotage the UK. 

The Conservatives advocate a military expansion to counter the threat the Kremlin poses.

Off the coast of Britain, Russian espionage vessels are charting wind farms and vital communication cables as part of a plot to sabotage vital infrastructure.

The covert “ghost ships” missions were revealed as Downing Street and GCHQ officials warned of increased Russia-aligned hackers seeking to “disrupt or destroy” energy infrastructure such as power stations.

European intelligence agencies have observed a fleet of Russian boats, often disguised as research vessels but with armed guards.

An investigation revealed that possible targets include internet cables, offshore wind farms, and connectors transporting electricity and gas pipelines.

One ship conducting underwater “research” was observed traversing wind farms off the UK, and another is believed to have entered the Moray Firth on November 10, 2017.

In response to the revelations, Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons defence committee and a member of the Conservative Party, told The Telegraph that “the penny must drop” regarding Russia’s attempts to undermine British security and called for an expansion of the Armed Forces.

Mr Ellwood stated, “With our current peacetime-sized Navy, Army, and Air Force, we can no longer protect our near seas and must, therefore, advance further afield.”

Wednesday night, GCHQ leaders warned that Western nations were facing increased Russian hacking activity as Vladimir Putin’s cyber commandos targeted critical infrastructure.

Oliver Dowden, minister of the Cabinet Office, stated that Russia-aligned hackers attacking Ukraine have “shifted their focus to the UK.”

In recent months, Russian cyber groups have increasingly targeted Western nations, particularly NATO members who support Ukraine. Experts say “patriotic” young Russians conduct cyberattacks on Western organisations and enterprises.

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) directors have formally warned operators of critical national infrastructure regarding the renewed threat.

An investigation in Denmark revealed specifics of the Russian scheme to sabotage the North Sea. Russia is believed to be preparing for a full-scale conflict with the West.

Amid heightened tensions with Russia, there has been a greater emphasis on the safety of North Sea infrastructure, particularly in the aftermath of the assault on the Nord Stream pipeline.

Ben Wallace, the Secretary of Defence, warned last year that Norway’s energy and gas infrastructure was “particularly vulnerable” due to its status as Europe’s primary supplier.

The Royal Navy is acquiring two subsea surveillance vessels anticipated to enter service this year.

A Russian ship entered Belgian and Dutch waters without its automatic identification system, which allows the vessel to be traced. The Dutch intelligence services at the time accused Moscow of “attempting to map the Dutch energy supply.”

Approximately fifty Russian “ghost ships” are believed to operate in the North Sea as part of the sabotage scheme.

Admiral Vladimirsky, ostensibly registered as an oceanographic research vessel, was identified as a possible spy vessel by the investigation conducted by the Scandinavian broadcasters.

As their journalists approached the ship, surveillance footage revealed a man armed with a military-grade rifle and donning a balaclava was on board.

A former UK Royal Navy expert traced the vessel in the territory of seven wind farms off the coast of the UK and the Netherlands on a single mission.

According to reports, it slowed down as it approached the infrastructure. According to reports citing security sources, the vessel was the same one that was reported to have entered Belgian waters.

It was reportedly observed off the coast of Scotland last year on November 10 as it entered Moray Firth.

Niels Fastrup of the Danish broadcaster DR stated, “According to our experts and intelligence sources, the purpose of that stop was also to investigate the Seagreen wind farm for potential vulnerabilities to exploit in the event of an escalation of the current conflict between Russia and the West.”

In the event of a full-scale conflict with the West, sabotage operations are being planned by Russia, according to a Danish intelligence officer. The chief of Norway’s intelligence services stated that the efforts were crucial for Russia and directly controlled by Moscow. 

The government takes the security of Britain’s infrastructure extremely seriously. After the Nord Stream incident, we increased Royal Navy presence patrols and invested £65 million in the first of two Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ships.

“We continue to evaluate all of our investments and endeavours in light of the full spectrum of threats and risks.”