Royal Navy chief warns Russia probing UK for weakness

The head of the Royal Navy has warned that Russia is the greatest threat to UK security, actively probing for weaknesses in the North Atlantic and targeting critical undersea infrastructure. First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins stated that the UK must urgently strengthen its warfighting readiness to counter Moscow's activities. Speaking at Admiralty House in London on Wednesday, Sir Gwyn said Russia is "probing, testing and mapping" UK maritime infrastructure. He identified Moscow as "the greatest threat to our security today" and noted that the Royal Navy is deploying an average of two warships per week to monitor Russian vessels and the shadow fleet. "Russia is probing us for weakness. And we are facing threats in a way we have not been since the Cold War," Sir Gwyn said. He warned that Russia retains advanced submarines that are increasingly difficult to track, long-range precision weapons, and specialist systems designed to operate deep underwater. The First Sea Lord outlined what he called the Navy's "most radical and far-reaching reform," shifting to a "hybrid Navy" that pairs traditional warships, submarines and aircraft with drones, sensors and AI.