The United Kingdom has confirmed that it is closely monitoring Russia’s spy vessel Yantar, which has recently been operating near British waters. British defense officials have stated that the Yantar, a ship designed for intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables, has been deployed twice in the area. During its latest incursion, the vessel reportedly directed lasers at RAF pilots, prompting a coordinated response by the Royal Navy and RAF planes.
Defense Secretary John Healey has issued a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the UK’s readiness to act if the Yantar moves further south. Healey, speaking during a news conference, stated that the UK is ‘determined’ whenever the vessel enters British waters. ‘We track it, we deter it, and we say to Putin, ‘We are ready, and we do that alongside allies,’ he explained.
The UK is also planning to build new factories to produce munitions and military explosives, with the first one set to be constructed next year. This comes amid heightened tensions with Russia, as evidenced by recent NATO actions and reported incidents near the Romanian border in Ukraine. The Commons Defence Committee has released a report highlighting the UK’s ‘lack of a plan for defending the homeland and overseas territories,’ urging the government to communicate the level of threat more effectively.
The Yantar is part of Moscow’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, or GUGI, which carries out surveillance during peacetime and sabotage during conflicts. Healey’s warning follows a report by the Commons Defence Committee, which criticized the UK’s preparedness and called for a coordinated public communication strategy. With ongoing military build-up and international tensions, the UK is taking a firm stance against perceived threats from Russia, reinforcing its alliance with NATO partners and demonstrating its commitment to maritime security and national defense.