Event 965

{
  "attack_type": "Espionage",
  "category": "Undersea",
  "confidence": "High",
  "countries": [
    "United Kingdom",
    "Russia"
  ],
  "country": "United Kingdom",
  "description": "A suspected Russian sonobuoy was discovered by scuba divers off the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. The device, believed to be used for underwater tracking and possibly submarine detection, was recovered by divers from Llanelli Sub-Aqua Club and is thought to have been in the water for a significant time, showing signs of implosion and corrosion. Naval and defense experts state that the object most likely originated from Russia, with one submarine expert expressing 'confidence' in its identification as a Russian sonobuoy. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and UK Ministry of Defence were notified, and the findings have led to calls for further investigation due to security implications near the UK coastline.",
  "event_time_utc": "2025-11-23T15:33:40Z",
  "evidence": [
    "Photos on the BBC page show the recovered device and a sonobuoy expert identifying its likely Russian origin.",
    "Statements from defense experts and UK authorities are quoted, confirming ongoing investigation."
  ],
  "evidence_quotes": [
    "\"A submarine expert says he is 'confident' the recovered object is an imploded Russian sonobuoy.\"",
    "\"Divers from Llanelli's sub-aqua club discovered the object on the sea floor 2.5 miles off St Anne's Head in Pembrokeshire.\"",
    "\"A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman confirmed the unusual device was logged on the November incident team records and that its origins are being established.\"",
    "\"Dr Rob Kaminski, a 'sonobuoy' technology researcher, said: 'I'm as sure as I can be that this is a Russian sonobuoy.'\""
  ],
  "evidence_urls": [
    "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5m829mz9mo"
  ],
  "extra": {
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "extra": {
          "evidence": [
            "Photos on the BBC page show the recovered device and a sonobuoy expert identifying its likely Russian origin.",
            "Statements from defense experts and UK authorities are quoted, confirming ongoing investigation."
          ]
        },
        "indicators": [
          "Llanelli Sub-Aqua Club",
          "Pembrokeshire coast",
          "Russian sonobuoys",
          "Ministry of Defence (UK)"
        ]
      },
      "review": {
        "note": "GtG",
        "sources_verified": false
      }
    }
  },
  "headline": "Suspected Russian tracking device found by scuba divers",
  "location_text": "Pembrokeshire coast, Wales",
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "description": "ScreenshotOne capture",
      "type": "screenshot",
      "url": "/media/event_965_1764097221_efd610b9.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "notes": "The discovery of a Russian sonobuoy near the UK coast signals ongoing Russian interest in undersea intelligence gathering and potentially signals mapping of naval movements. Its presence may indicate broader surveillance or hybrid threat activity in the area and warrants close monitoring for further incursions or related device discoveries. Analyst recommends monitoring for follow-up MOD statements or joint investigations with NATO partners.",
  "raw_text_excerpt": "A submarine expert says he is 'confident' the recovered object is an imploded Russian sonobuoy. Divers from Llanelli's sub-aqua club discovered the object on the sea floor 2.5 miles off St Anne's Head in Pembrokeshire.",
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "screenshot_count": 1.0,
  "summary_extended": "Scuba divers off the Pembrokeshire coast of Wales discovered a suspected Russian sonobuoy, a tracking device believed to be associated with undersea surveillance or anti-submarine warfare activities. The find was made by a team from the Llanelli Sub-Aqua Club, who retrieved the device and noted its extensive damage and signs of implosion, suggesting it had been underwater for a considerable period. After the item was recovered, submarine experts and defense analysts evaluated it, with several concurring that it matched the profile of Russian-produced sonobuoy equipment, used to detect submarine or underwater movements. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Ministry of Defence were notified; the latter confirmed it had no record of losing such a device in the area. There is speculation the device could have been deployed for intelligence purposes, highlighting persistent security risks along the UK’s maritime boundary. The discovery has prompted fresh scrutiny over Russian activities near British waters and calls for strengthened undersea monitoring.",
  "summary_short": "Divers find suspected Russian military sonobuoy off Pembrokeshire coast.",
  "url": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5m829mz9mo",
  "where": "Undersea"
}

{
  "source": "admin_quick",
  "tags": [],
  "url": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5m829mz9mo"
}