A joint European investigation claims that the Admiral Vladimirsky targeted key UK energy infrastructure during an intelligence-gathering mission.
A Russian intelligence-gathering ship is believed to have been involved in mapping critical energy infrastructure off the UK coast, as part of a broader operation aimed at potential sabotage, according to a joint investigation by European broadcasters. The vessel, identified as the Admiral Vladimirsky, is said to have spent a month navigating the Baltic and North Seas, focusing on current and proposed offshore wind farms in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway.
The report claims the Admiral Vladimirsky is part of a fleet disguised as fishing trawlers and scientific vessels, used by the Russian government to gather intelligence on vital energy infrastructure. During the investigation, Danish broadcaster DR shared footage of an incident in November, where a small boat from their team approached the Russian vessel off Denmark’s coast. The video shows a man wearing military gear and holding an assault rifle on the ship’s deck.
On November 10, 2023, the Admiral Vladimirsky is thought to have entered Scotland’s Moray Firth, raising alarms about the security of offshore energy installations. Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, stated that the UK’s current military forces are insufficient to protect its waters and must be expanded in response to these growing threats.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted its ongoing commitment to securing national infrastructure, referencing increased naval patrols following the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage. The MoD also pointed to investments such as the £65 million dedicated to the development of Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ships.
Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), the sector’s trade body, confirmed that they are actively collaborating with government agencies to ensure the safety and security of the UK’s energy infrastructure. Mark Wilson, OEUK’s operations director, emphasized that physical security remains a top priority, with regular engagements and briefings from government bodies like Police Scotland and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.
