UK warns Putin after Russian spy ship returns to British waters

The Royal Navy is monitoring a Russian spy ship after it entered British waters earlier this week, the Defense Secretary told MPs.

John Healey said the ship, Yantar, was used to gather intelligence and map the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure.

He said the incident was “another example of growing Russian aggression.”

Healey added: “I also wanted President Putin to hear this message: We see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not hesitate to take strong action to protect this country.”

Russia describes the Yantar as an ocean research vessel operated by the country’s Defense Ministry.

Western countries have often tracked the ship operating in European waters and suspect that part of its mission was to map undersea cables.

They also believe that Russia has increased this activity since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In addition to surveillance equipment, the ship can operate submersible drones capable of reaching the ocean floor.

Underwater infrastructure is crucial for energy supply via power cables and pipelines, while more than 95% of internet traffic is also secured via undersea cables.

Healey said Yantar was currently in the North Sea, having passed through UK waters and being detected 45 miles off the UK coast in the English Channel on Monday.

“Over the past two days, the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the ship every minute in our waters,” he said.

“I have amended the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement so that our warships can come closer and better track the Yantar. Until now, the ship has complied with international rules of navigation.”

The Defense Secretary said it was the second time the ship had entered UK waters in recent months, with Yantar also detected “loitering over the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure” in November .

He said a Royal Navy submarine had been allowed to surface near Yantar “strictly as a deterrent” and “to make it clear that we were covertly monitoring its every move”.

“The ship then left British waters without further delay and sailed towards the Mediterranean,” he added.

Healey said the government was strengthening its response to Russian naval activities with its NATO allies.

He said the Royal Air Force would provide surveillance aircraft to join a NATO deployment to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

It comes after an undersea cable between Estonia and Finland was damaged in December, with Finnish police investigating whether a Russian ship was involved.

Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge said the Conservative Party “stands with” the government’s approach and “transparency” to the Russian naval threat.

He also welcomed the change to the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement, adding: “This sends a powerful signal to Putin that we will not be intimidated and that while his aim is to continue to push the boundaries of malicious activity in our waters, and those nearby, we will answer.

Cartlidge said Russian activity showed why defense spending needed to be increased sooner rather than later.