Vladimir Putin could spark 'worldwide blackouts' as NATO issues chilling warning

NATO believes the Kremlin could deploy a - sparking "worldwide blackouts" by with its "shadow fleet". The bosses of firms like Vodafone, Orange and Telefonica, have written an open letter to the UK, EU and NATO warning that the or disrupted by after a series of attacks.

In the letter, the companies said: "The repercussions of damage to subsea cables extend far beyond Europe, potentially affecting global internet and power infrastructure, international communications, financial transactions and critical services worldwide.

"Subsea cable security must be a cornerstone of broader infrastructure protection efforts. By acting now, we can safeguard the networks that underpin our shared future."

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Around 95 per cent of the data transmitted across the is carried on more than 500 cables that crisscross the seabed. In recent months, there have been a number of attacks already on the vital links.

In the past, the attacks have drawn condemnation from world leaders and defence chiefs who pin the blame squarely on Putin.

While Russia denies any involvement, most countries are convinced Putin's at the helm of the sabotage after seeing Russia's commercial shadow fleet in the area at the time.

Most of the 11 attacks since October 2023 have happened in the Baltic Sea, though there have been some reported in the North Sea. European leaders are becoming concerned that Russia is currently rolling out a major sabotage operation after their Yantar spy ship was found mapping underwater infrastructure in the North Sea.

Similar incidents have been reported in the sea near Taiwan, with thought to be responsible.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey pinned the blame squarely on Putin when he warned the warlord against further action in January.

He said: "I also want President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country."

The vast network of offshore pipelines, electric cables and energy hubs keeps the UK alight and is widely considered the "backbone" of Britain - which makes them a perfect target for the Kremlin aggression. An attack on any of these could wreak havoc, disrupting key services like the .

A joint committee inquiry has now been launched with MPs seeking a solution to how the infrastructure can be protected.

Matt Western, chairman of the committee, said: "As the geopolitical environment worsens, foreign states are seeking asymmetric ways to hold us at risk. Our internet cable network looks like an increasingly vulnerable soft underbelly."