---
title: "Ministers draw up emergency powers to counter Russian cable threat"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/288091289.md"
description: "UK ministers are drafting emergency powers to protect subsea cables from Russian sabotage. The proposals, outlined in an upcoming white paper, include new security obligations for operators and tougher penalties, such as fines and prison sentences, for reckless damage. This move aims to deter hostile states amid rising threats, including recent Russian submarine activities. The government seeks to update outdated legislation to better address malicious underwater interference, ensuring the security of critical internet infrastructure."
datetime: "2026-05-29T15:24:34.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/288091289.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/288091289.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/288091289.md)
---

# Ministers draw up emergency powers to counter Russian cable threat

Ministers are seeking emergency powers to protect subsea cables amid growing fears of Russian sabotage.

Liz Lloyd, the telecoms minister, said the Government was considering introducing new powers allowing ministers to force cable owners and operators to protect their infrastructure, as well as new security obligations.

The new rules would be designed to ensure that businesses were taking the necessary measures to prevent, detect and respond to security threats towards cables that are crucial for the UK’s internet access.

Under the proposals, which will be set out in a white paper later this year, ship owners and operators that recklessly damage subsea cables will also face tougher fines and prison sentences.

The proposals are aimed at strengthening Britain’s defences and deterring Russia and other hostile states amid a heightened threat of sabotage.

The Royal Navy foiled a covert operation in April by Russian submarines trying to survey critical subsea cables in the North Atlantic. More widely, there has been a 30pc increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the last two years.

Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute on Friday, Ms Lloyd said: “Our message to President Putin was simple: we can see what you’re doing and any interference will have serious consequences.”

She added: “The UK already has strong protections in place for our subsea cables, but in a more uncertain world we cannot stand still.

“As hostile activity by Russia and others grows, protecting these cables matters more than ever for our economy, security and daily lives. That is why we plan to go further with tougher penalties for reckless damage, stronger security obligations and new powers to respond quickly when incidents happen.”

UK laws already carry life imprisonment for the most serious cases of sabotage clearly linked to a hostile state.

However, malicious activity under the ocean surface can be hard to spot and intent can be difficult to prove, making prosecution challenging.

Ms Lloyd said Britain’s legal system needed to keep pace with the threat, with changes planned to 140-year-old legislation designed to make the law clearer and harder to evade.

She added that the overhaul would “send a clear message that if you act recklessly, or if you deliberately target our cables, there will be serious consequences”.

There are around 60 subsea cables in UK waters, connecting Britain to the outside world. Faults are rare and the majority of incidents are accidental, with fishing activity or vessels dragging anchors the most common causes of damage.

Nevertheless, the Government has been under pressure to strengthen Britain’s defences under the sea, especially as rising data usage and the growth of AI drive up demand for more infrastructure.

In a damning report last year, MPs on the joint committee on the national security strategy found that ministers were “too timid” in defending Britain’s undersea cables.

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