US nuclear submarines deployed to guard undersea cables as Poland scrambles jets four times in a week over Russian drone surge
From the Newshound archive · first published 20 September 2026.
Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham. The legislation Trump signed bears the late senator's name after he championed it for more than a year before dying in July.Umar Kremlev and Vladimir Putin. Kremlev, who heads the International Boxing Association, had been part of Putin's delegation on a state visit to China shortly before travelling to the Bahamas for the wedding…
American nuclear-powered submarines have been positioned to defend critical transatlantic undersea cables after Britain acknowledged it cannot protect them alone, while Poland scrambled jets four times in a single week as Russian drone provocations against NATO states have tripled — the latest signs of escalating hybrid pressure on the alliance following Russia's warning that British military facilities are "legitimate targets." Drone security incidents at or near Ministry of Defence sites jumped to 340 in the year to August 2026, almost three times the 126 logged in 2024, according to data released under a Freedom of Information request. Former Conservative defence minister Tobias Ellwood said the UK is doing "nothing" to protect its military bases and critical infrastructure, and cautioned that adding lethal capability to surveillance drones is only a small step.
Ellwood drove the point home by personally flying a plane over HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth, both Royal Navy carriers berthed at HMNB Portsmouth.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico claimed some Western figures are actively seeking a war between Russia and NATO, as defence experts warned Putin could escalate conflict with the West.
A NATO chief also criticised Andy Burnham for suspending British Army live-fire and tank training exercises to save £30 million, even as Russian drone provocations against NATO states have tripled.
