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A Russian "spy" ship has stopped at sites around wind farms in the North Sea, including off the coast of Scotland, to gather information, according to an investigation by European broadcasters. A joint report by broadcasters in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway claims that the Admiral Vladimirsky vessel was part of an underwater infrastructure mapping operation. Although it is officially classified as an ocean research vessel, the report says it is part of a fleet that surveys key power sites for possible sabotage.
Danish broadcaster DR published a video of an encounter at sea between a small boat carrying his team and the Russian ship, filmed off the Danish coast in November.
It shows a man, dressed in a balaclava and military gear, and carrying an assault rifle, appearing on the deck of Admiral Vladimirsky.
The vessel is believed to have entered the Moray Firth on November 10 last year.
Niels Fastrup of Danish broadcaster DR spoke to STV about the investigation.
He said: 'It appears to have been hanging around the Moray Firth area for a few days.
“According to the source we spoke to, and we gave them an overview of our data, what they think is that he is looking into some of the offshore wind farms in Scottish waters.
“The next time it stopped was at the Seagreen wind farm on the outskirts of Aberdeen.
"According to our experts and intelligence sources with whom we have spoken, the purpose of this closure was also to investigate the Seagreen wind farm to look for possible vulnerabilities that could be exploited in the event of an escalation of the current conflict situation between Russia and the Western world. .
More attention has been paid to the security of the North Sea infrastructure amid rising tensions with Russia, particularly following the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
Ben Wallace of the UK government spoke about the importance of protecting undersea internet cables when European defense ministers met in Edinburgh last year for a Joint Expeditionary Force summit.
He said Norway's oil and gas infrastructure was "particularly vulnerable" as it had become the main supplier to Europe.
The Royal Navy is purchasing two dedicated underwater surveillance vessels that will enter service this year.
A Defense Ministry spokesperson said: “The Government takes the security and resilience of our national infrastructure very seriously.
"That's why we increased Royal Navy presence patrols after the Nord Stream incident and invested £65m in the first of our two multi-role ocean surveillance vessels.
"We continue to review all of our investments and activities against the full spectrum of threats and risks."
Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), the trade body for the offshore sector, said the safety of its facilities was the subject of ongoing discussions with the government.
Operations Director Mark Wilson said: “Offshore Energies UK remains engaged with relevant government bodies including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (formerly BEIS); North Sea Transitional Authority; health and safety manager; and Police Scotland, on the resilience and security of the UK's energy supply.
“We also run the OEUK Safety Committee where relevant government bodies provide input.
"The physical security of offshore and onshore energy infrastructure continues to be part of these regular engagements."
PA wire
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