‘We see you’: how a Russian spy ship sparked a stampede in the UK | Russia-Ukraine War

A Russian spy ship was spotted in British waters this week, amid growing concern over the security of undersea communications cables.

British Defense Secretary John Healey said Wednesday that the ship, Yantar, was “used to gather intelligence and map the United Kingdom’s critical underwater infrastructure.”

“I also wanted President (Vladimir) Putin to hear this message: ‘We see you, we know what you are doing and we will not hesitate to take strong measures to protect this country,'” he said in the British Parliament.

Here’s everything we know about the latest incident:

What happened?

According to Healey, the ship entered British waters on Monday, about 72.5 km from the coast, and the Royal Navy sent two ships to monitor the spy ship.

“Over the past two days, the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the ship every minute in our waters. And I have changed the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement so that our warships can come closer and better track the Yantar,” Healey told MPs.

“So far the ship has complied with international navigation rules,” he said, adding that the ship was now in the North Sea.

Healey did not explain how the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement changed during this incident.

Russia has so far not responded to the spying allegations.

Has the ship already been detected?

Yes, in November.

Healey explained that the ship was “loitering over the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure” before sailing into the Mediterranean.

Due to the ship’s activities, Healey said a Royal Navy submarine was allowed to surface near the ship to “make it clear that we were secretly monitoring its every move.”

An unnamed French official told the AFP news agency that French military sources had been mobilized to monitor the Yantar, but that the ship had “no proven hostile intent.”

“It regularly happens that a Russian ship passes by and there is always close surveillance in place,” added the official.

What is the impact on submarine cables?

The incident occurred amid reports that several underwater telecommunications and electricity cables have been sabotaged since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022.

On Christmas Day, the Estlink 2 power line and four cables carrying electricity from Finland to Estonia were disconnected.

In early January, Finland seized the tanker Eagle S, carrying Russian oil, which it suspected of having damaged the power line by dragging its anchor on the seabed.

However, Russia has rejected all allegations that it tampered with the undersea cables.

Last week, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the NATO military alliance was using “myths” to increase its presence in the Baltic Sea.

“The real aim of all this is to limit Russian oil exports by any means necessary… and to create preconditions for the introduction of arbitrary restrictions on international shipping in the Baltic Sea,” she said. declared during a press briefing.

Zakharova’s response also came as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that NATO members were considering sanctioning Russia’s shadow fleet in the region to protect submarine cables.

Russia’s ally China also faces allegations of sabotage, with Taiwan announcing last week it was stepping up surveillance after a China-linked cargo ship was suspected of damaging a communications cable under -marine.

Separately, in December, Sweden asked China to cooperate in an investigation into the breakage of two telecommunications cables in Swedish waters after suspicions were raised of the cargo ship Yi Peng 3.

What happens next?

“Russia remains the most urgent and immediate threat to Britain,” Healey told Parliament as he outlined the government’s plans to defend against Russian interference.

The minister said the UK was working with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, a security coalition of 10 European countries, to track “potential threats to underwater infrastructure”.

He added that the UK would provide 4.5 billion pounds ($5.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine to support its war against Russia.

At the same time, it sanctioned “more than 100 ships from Russia’s Shadow Fleet, more than any other nation.”

“Russian aggression will not be tolerated, either at home or in Ukraine,” Healey said.

The British minister’s comments come after Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week signed a 100-year deal with Ukraine, pledging to provide military, technological and medical aid during the war.