What is Russia's GUGI unit and what is its purpose?

GUGI is Russia's elite deep-sea sabotage unit, tasked with mapping and potentially damaging undersea cables and pipelines.

How is the Royal Navy responding to the threat from GUGI?

The Royal Navy is enhancing surveillance with new underwater networks like Atlantic Bastion and strengthening alliances with countries like Norway.

What infrastructure is at risk from Russian deep-sea operations?

Undersea internet cables and gas pipelines that connect Britain and its NATO allies are at risk of sabotage.

Home / War and Conflict / Royal Navy Warns of Shadowy Russian Underwater Threat

Royal Navy Warns of Shadowy Russian Underwater Threat

22 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Russia is investing heavily in a secret deep-sea unit known as GUGI.
This unit is capable of operating at extreme depths to sabotage infrastructure.
The Royal Navy is enhancing surveillance with new underwater networks.

Royal Navy Warns of Shadowy Russian Underwater Threat

The Royal Navy has issued a stark warning regarding Russia's dedicated deep-sea sabotage unit, GUGI, which is reportedly resuming operations. This highly secretive group possesses the capability to operate at extreme depths, posing a direct threat to critical undersea infrastructure such as internet cables and gas pipelines. Recent intelligence indicates GUGI's subsurface capabilities have been reactivated after a period of setbacks, including a fire incident in 2019 that claimed the lives of 14 officers aboard the deep-diving submarine Losharik.