The United Kingdom has confirmed its surveillance of Russia’s Yantar spy ship, which is operating near British waters. According to British defense officials, the vessel is being closely monitored by allied forces, signaling a readiness to neutralize any possible threat. Defense Secretary John Healey revealed that the Yantar is the second deployment of the ship to UK territorial waters, highlighting its capabilities for intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables. During a news conference, he stated that the Y. Antar had previously targeted RAF pilots with lasers while being tracked by a Royal Navy frigate. Healey issued a direct warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that the UK is aware of Russia’s activities and is prepared to respond if the vessel moves closer. The UK also announced plans to construct munitions factories, with the first expected to commence construction next year. This follows a report from the Commons Defence Committee, which criticized the UK’s lack of a national defense strategy and urged the government to improve public communication regarding the level of threat. The Yantar is part of Moscow’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, a unit focused on surveillance during peacetime and sabotage during conflicts, further underscoring the strategic importance of its deployment.