Russian Subs Could Cut Undersea Data Cables

According to a New York Times headline, “Russian Ships Near Data Cables Are Too Close For U.S. Comfort”.

The United States tracked Russian spy ship the Yantar last month as it travelled towards Cuba and Guantanamo Bay – where a major USA undersea cable begins.

The Pentagon is monitoring Russian Naval missions in the locations of the cables by spy satellites, ships and planes.

The Pentagon is concerned that Moscow could target cables at greater depths that are more hard to fix and may be looking for secret underwater cables installed by the USA military.

Cutting these giant undersea cables would wreak havoc with the world’s economy and halt vital communications, which numerous West’s governments have grown to depend on. This is critical since $10 trillion dollars could be lost daily if the business deals transacted through the underwater cables are interrupted, according to The Verge.

The report added that the issue is based only on the US’s increasing mistrust of any Russian activity and that there was no concrete evidence that supports the concern.

Most are quickly repaired without internet users ever being aware of a problem.

U.S. military and intelligence officials expressed concern that the Russians might be planning to attack those lines in times of tension or conflict.

In what sounds like a return to the Cold War Era, United States defense types are warily watching Russian submarines cruising around its own – and other countries’ – submarine cables.

The mood in the community is one of suspicion, and at least one expert suggested that Russian Federation could carry out a cable attack with very little chance of being caught. The activities spark anxiety among top military officials, especially that Russian ships are scouring remote areas in the sea. Even though it is just a rumor for now, military officials and people who work in the U.S. Intelligence are seriously considering this possibility.

The Yantar is equipped with a unique onboard scientific research complex which enables it to collect data on the ocean environment, both in motion and on hold.

Any tampering with the cables would immediately damage the financial sector and cut the flow of capital. “There are no similar complexes anywhere”.

While no US Navy or intelligence officials would go on the record regarding their concerns, the Navy’s Commander of US Naval Forces Europe and US Naval Forces Africa, Admiral Mark Furguson, noted that Russian submarine patrols have risen in number by almost 50 percent in the previous year. “At sea, their focus is disrupting decision cycles”, he said.