❗️Russian submarines conducted a "covert" operation over underwater infrastructure in waters north of the UK, Defence Secretary John Healey said.

"To President Putin, I say - we see you, we see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences," he added.

British forces had tracked a Russian Akula-class attack submarine, "deployed as a distraction," and two specialist submarines belonging to Russia's Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI).

The two vessels have been directed by Russia to "conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK and our allies, specifically around critical undersea infrastructure," the British defence secretary added.

Healey said British forces and allies tracked and deterred malign activity by the Russian vessels, adding that the submarines had now left the area. The UK operation lasted for a month and involved more than 500 people.