An ally of Vladimir Putin has accused the U.S. and the U.K. of intending to sabotage underwater internet cables and planning to destabilize the maritime energy trade.

In reporting the comments by Nikolai Patrushev, the Telegram channel Crimean Wind posted, "it would be funny, but such statements often sound like a cover for their own intentions."

Citing U.S. officials, CNN reported in September that Russia was developing a sabotage unit with submarines and drones to target underwater infrastructure by order of the defense ministry's Main Directorate for Deep-Sea Research (GUGI).