"There were never any fish on board." Fishing trawlers may spy for the Kremlin

The Telegraph reports over 500 instances of Russian fishing vessels operating near undersea telecommunications cables, raising concerns about potential sabotage in a NATO conflict. Experts warn that damage to these cables could disrupt critical services in the UK. Analysis of Russian fleet movements revealed suspicious patterns, particularly around key cables connecting Europe and the US. NATO is monitoring these activities, confirming awareness of Russian civilian vessels' operations. The UK government is considering stricter penalties for damaging undersea infrastructure, with proposals for increased prison sentences and fines. The situation highlights the strategic importance of these cables for the UK economy.