The United Kingdom has confirmed it is monitoring the Russian spy ship Yantar, which was recently detected near British waters. This surveillance is part of a broader effort to detect and respond to potential threats from Russian naval activity. Defense Secretary John Healey highlighted that the Yantar has been deployed to UK waters for the second time, underscoring the significance of its presence. He stated that the Yantar is equipped for intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables, and that the UK has taken measures to track its movements. Royal Navy frigates and RAF planes have been deployed to monitor the ship’s activities, with Healey noting that the Yantar directed lasers at RAF pilots during one of its incursions.
Healey issued a direct warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that the UK is fully aware of Russia’s actions and is prepared to respond if the Yantar moves closer. The UK is also planning to expand its military production capabilities, with the construction of several munitions factories set to begin in the coming year. This development reflects a strategic shift toward enhancing national defense and readiness to counter both traditional and emerging security threats. The incident is not isolated, as NATO has scrambled warplanes in response to a recent Russian strike near the Romanian border in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
The Commons Defence Committee has called for the UK government to improve its homeland defense strategy and to communicate more effectively with the public about the level of threat faced by the country. The committee’s report also emphasized the need for a coordinated effort to address the security challenges posed by Russia’s naval and military activities. The Yantar’s presence is part of a larger Russian operation, specifically linked to Moscow’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), which is responsible for surveillance in peacetime and sabotage during conflicts. Healey reiterated that the UK is committed to tracking and deterring the Yantar whenever it enters UK waters, acting in conjunction with its allies to ensure national security.