A Russian cargo vessel was escorted away from UK waters this week after anchoring close to sensitive undersea telecommunications infrastructure, prompting renewed concerns about maritime security.
The ship, identified as the Sinegorsk, anchored less than a mile offshore near Minehead, Somerset, placing it in close proximity to undersea cables that connect the UK with the United States, Canada, Spain and Portugal. The vessel had departed a major Russian port earlier in the week before dropping anchor on Tuesday, January 27, and remaining there until Wednesday afternoon.
The Sinegorsk claimed it was carrying out “essential safety repairs,” but the Royal Navy responded by dispatching an RN Wildcat attack helicopter, which monitored the situation and chased the vessel back into open waters.
The incident has drawn political attention, with concerns raised about the potential risks posed by Russian maritime activity near critical national infrastructure. Shadow security minister Alicia Kearns described the ship’s movements as “deeply suspicious,” amid wider warnings about threats linked to the Kremlin.
While the Sinegorsk is not believed to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” its presence has added to unease following a series of recent incidents involving Russian-linked vessels entering UK and European waters.
Earlier this month, a sanctioned Russian tanker reportedly sailed through the English Channel under a false name and flag. That vessel, previously known under multiple identities, had left a Turkish port and was suspected of travelling towards Russia.
Security analysts have repeatedly warned that Europe is increasingly exposed to state-linked maritime threats. Rachel Ellehuus, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute, has said such activity should be expected, including disinformation campaigns, drone operations and incursions near sensitive infrastructure.
Russia has long been accused of covert interference across Europe, even before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of shadow fleet vessels, often unregulated tankers transporting Russian oil, are estimated to pass through European waters regularly, frequently disabling tracking systems and falsifying registry details to evade sanctions.
By early 2026, analysts estimated that around one-sixth of the world’s active tanker fleet was linked to Russian operators using obscure flags and shell companies. In response, the European Union has expanded sanctions, designating hundreds of such vessels as part of efforts to curb sanction evasion and protect regional security.
