OREANDA-NEWS. In the UK, new restrictions on the supply to Russia came into force on August 14. From Wednesday, Moscow is forbidden to transfer underwater submersible vehicles, as well as related equipment and technologies, according to the website of the United Kingdom's Export Control Office.

This decision is explained by fears that with the help of underwater vehicles Russia may track and damage the communication cables located at the bottom connecting Europe and North America. “These actions pose a threat to UK national security, and the restrictions introduced should mitigate these risks”, the report said.

Underwater submersibles can be used in various fields, including when surveying the ocean floor, collecting hydrographic data. In the military sphere, such devices can also be used to destroy mines. The British authorities have repeatedly stated that Russia threatens the safety of communication cables in the Atlantic Ocean. In particular, in the summer of 2018, the head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Philip Jones, spoke about this. According to him, Moscow investigated the cables, and therefore London should be ready to protect them.

In December 2017, U.S. Navy Admiral Andrew Lennon and one of the British Air Force chief Stuart Peach expressed concerns about cable safety. The latter claimed that cable failure could seriously harm the global economy. The Russian Ministry of Defense didn't comment on these messages.

According to the American newspaper, citing US Admiral Andrew Lennon, "the activity of Russian submarines in the North Atlantic region, where cables connecting North America and Europe are laid, is now as high as ever". “Russia is definitely interested in the underwater infrastructure of NATO countries”, he said.