Mystery of Shetland submarine cable cut as Russian ‘research’ ship sails near British Isles after communication blackout
Mysteries about a severed submarine power cable off the coast of Shetland deepened after it was revealed that a Russian “research vessel” had been clocked in the area.
Engineers then fought to restore internet and phone communications The islanders were completely cut off from the mainland on Thursday.
New data show that the research vessel Akademik Boris Petrov passed the Shetland-Orkney Gap hours later.
The Dutch warship HNLMS Tromp later moved to positions northeast of the Isle of Lewis to intercept and escort her from British waters.
Academic Boris Petrov is currently continuing his journey to Brazil.
The ship initially left Kaliningrad on 17 October for the expedition. The original voyage was set through the English Channel and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
However, after leaving Skagerrak, it changed its route and passed through important underwater infrastructure in the North Sea.
Its first route was through the English Channel into the Atlantic Ocean.
It was also expected to pass through the sensitive waters of Faslane Naval Base, where British nuclear submarines are stationed, according to the Auxiliary Shipping Forecast blog.
The route was also intended to traverse the waters of north-west Ireland, where important trans-Atlantic infrastructure is in place.
The Shetland Islands suffered a telecommunications outage after a submarine cable was cut on Thursday, causing the loss of phone and internet connectivity to the region.
A serious incident was declared after a severe blackout left the North Sea islands cut off from the mainland.
Defense Department sources said at the time that a civilian fishing trawler was believed to have caused the damage.
Tension rises after finishing Russian Attack on Nord Stream Undersea Gas Pipeline last month.
Just a few weeks ago Irish politicians warned Putin may try to cut vital communication links.
“A provocative rerouting is almost certainly a strategic message to the UK and very likely intended to escalate tensions.” Plenty Of Ships Blog Report.
of Akademik Boris Petrov understood to be conducting ‘monitoring and assessment’ by the Royal NavyOperation of.
The ship is chock-full of high-tech kits for underwater surveillance and intelligence gathering.
It is reportedly a “ship of interest” for Western armies.
Norwegian media said it was a “spy ship” despite its official scientific purpose.
Oslo dispatched an F-35 jet to monitor the voyage near the oil platform.
“It is registered as a research vessel, but it functions as a spy vessel,” Starle Ulriksen, an instructor at the Norwegian Naval Academy, told broadcaster NRK.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/20194911/mystery-severed-shetland-undersea-cables-russia/ Mystery of Shetland submarine cable cut as Russian ‘research’ ship sails near British Isles after communication blackout