GoKawiilReport: 17 Russian trawlers tracked mapping transatlantic undersea cables
The Telegraph reports that analysis of Global Fishing Watch satellite data found over 500 incidents in four and a half years where Russian fishing trawlers lingered above critical undersea communications cables linking the US and Europe. Examples include vessels tracing the routes of the Atlantic Crossing 1, TAT-14, Hibernia Express, Shefa-2, Amitie and Grace Hopper cables, often slowing to two or three knots near the infrastructure.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
A naval officer cited by The Telegraph suggests these trawlers could be large enough to deploy sonar-equipped ROVs capable of mapping cables with millimeter precision, which could support future sabotage or surveillance operations. A NATO official's acknowledgment that the alliance is tracking these ships indicates heightened concern over threats to critical infrastructure that underpins global internet and financial traffic, though no confirmed sabotage has been reported.
- Over 500 incidents of Russian trawlers lingering near undersea cables were logged over 4.5 years using satellite tracking data.
- Multiple cables connecting the US, UK, France, Spain and other European nations appear to have been surveyed.
- NATO says it is aware of the activity, and experts suggest the vessels could be equipped to map cables with high precision.
Source: tomshardware.com — Jowi Morales, 2026-10-22
Published there as: “17 Russian trawlers logged mapping undersea cables connecting the US and Europe”
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