Russia is reportedly using a fleet of spy ships to eavesdrop on secret military communications in Britain, a senior army commander has said.
Lord West of Spithead, a former First Sea Lord, said that hi-tech converted fishing boats that can intercept voice communications up to 200 miles away had been spotted in the North Sea by Nato aircraft, reported The Daily Express.
It is believed that the boats were targeting RAF bases in Lossiemouth and Coningsby . The ships caution Russian aircrews when Typhoons from Britain’s Air Reaction Alert force are taking-off.
The former army commander warned that espionage by Russia had escalated to “worrying levels” amid other acts of “provocation” by Russia.
Six of the spy boats that have been spotted in the last three weeks stoked fears that the activity could be part of a planned operation against Britain.
However, there is little Britain can do to stop the Soviet from spying as long as they “sit in international waters,” a senior military source said. (ANI)