What was a Russian submarine doing off the coast of Brittany?

The image calls out: a Russian attack submarine sails on the surface off the coast of Brittany on September 29. In the distance, he is escorted by a French Navy frigate. The information worries, in a context of war in Ukraine. That day, the aircraft surfaced in the Bay of Biscay. He was then quickly escorted by the French Navy, then by the English, to the English Channel. This transit on the high seas is completely legal, since the submarine operates in international waters, 100 kilometers from the coast, where it can circulate freely.

“This is not the first time that submarines have passed on the surface in these areas. They can also do so underwater. All behaviors are possible, there is not necessarily a posture to be deduced of a transit that is done in this way”, says Captain Alexandre Marchis. But questions remain. Christian Le Roux, a former rear admiral, evokes the hypothesis that Russia wanted to show its presence. “It’s possible that Russia wants to say, ‘You see, I’m taking resources out of the Black Sea and putting them elsewhere.’ It could be a message.” While Russia continues its war in Ukraine, France remains vigilant. The Navy controls every military activity off the French coast.