Russian ‘spy ships’ threaten to sabotage UK energy supply

‘Ghost’ vessels mapping wind farms and communication cables prompt Tory calls to expand Armed Forces to deal with Kremlin threat

GCHQ’s security arm also warned of an expansion in mercenary “hacker for hire” operations, in which highly skilled cyber companies offer their services to the highest bidder.

Details of the Russian sabotage plot in the North Sea emerged from a joint investigation by the public broadcasters of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Russia is thought to be drawing up plans in the event of a full-scale war with the West.

‘Ghost’ vessels mapping wind farms and communication cables prompt Tory calls to expand Armed Forces to deal with Kremlin threat

GCHQ’s security arm also warned of an expansion in mercenary “hacker for hire” operations, in which highly skilled cyber companies offer their services to the highest bidder.

Details of the Russian sabotage plot in the North Sea emerged from a joint investigation by the public broadcasters of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Russia is thought to be drawing up plans in the event of a full-scale war with the West.

Around 50 Russian “ghost ships” are believed to be operating in the North Sea as part of the sabotage plot.

The investigation by the Scandinavian broadcasters identified the ship as the Admiral Vladimirsky, officially registered as an oceanographic research vessel, as a possible spy boat.

Footage of the ship showed a man armed with a military-grade rifle and wearing a balaclava was on board as their journalists approached it.