The UK has foiled a Russian plot to sabotage a mile long pipeline in the South Atlantic following an intelligence tip-off.
Intelligence suggested that the pipeline was to be targeted by Russian saboteurs which is crucial as it delivers fuel to the RAF, US Space agency and navy bases on Ascension Island.
The Island is a remote British Overseas Territory near Guinea, Africa which was used during the Falklands war 40 years ago which is now a UK-US signals intelligence facility.
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It holds an antenna for the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigational system, a European Space Agency rocket, which tracks orbital debris and is also vital to fuelling the Royal Navy and US.
Whitehall flew a security team to the island after the British security services saw satellite images which showed Russia had become interested in the pipeline and could have possibly used underwater sabotage drones or divers from a submarine.
On Saturday night a Whitehall source said, “The security measures taken, which are actually long overdue, were prompted by information received which indicated that a certain foreign power had developed an interest in the pipeline.”
“We are now satisfied that these new measures will ensure the safety of this floating pipeline so that full operations continue unhindered.”
An MOD Spokesperson said, “The protection of our personnel and facilities is of vital importance.
“We do not disclose the measures we take to provide security but all measures are kept under constant review.”
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