NATO has sent a chilling warning to Vladimir Putin and the secretive missions being carried out by his submarines. A key allied command, based in the Netherlands, told Russia its new nuclear-powered submarines are being tracked and monitored “closely”.
The Navy is increasingly being deployed to track Russian warships — activations to monitor Russian activity are up by 25% across the first eight months of the year compared to 2025.
The post from JFCBS read: “Russia is expanding and modernising its submarine force, with the Kola Peninsula remaining a key hub for the Northern Fleet.
“Among them: new-generation nuclear-powered SSGNs [nuclear-powered guided missile submarines], bringing serious long-range strike and sea-denial capabilities into the High North.
“They may be invisible beneath the waves. But not for us.
“We see them, we watch the developments closely and yes, we take these developments seriously.”
Russia launched its first nuclear-powered Khabarovsk-class submarine, designed to carry Poseidon nuclear torpedoes, last month.
Other submarines and capabilities remain under construction.
JFCBS is one of NATO’s three operational-level Joint Force Commands, focused on operations in eastern and central Europe.
In another post, it referenced a series of incidents across the region linked, or suspected to be linked, to Russia.
It said: “What is going on? Barely a day goes by without another incident… Europe needs to be ready. And that is why NATO 3.0 matters more than ever.”
Tensions between Russia and NATO have soared in recent months.
This week, Germany blamed Russia for an attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August involving an explosive-packed drone. Moscow denied responsibility.
US intelligence has warned Russia could be planning an attack on NATO territory to test the alliance’s resolve.
However, the Baltic states have played down the chances of a potential Russian attack.