The Royal Navy has been closely monitoring a Russian spy ship, Yantar, which was detected near UK waters earlier this week, according to Defence Secretary John Healey.
The vessel, operated by Russia’s Ministry of Defence, is believed to gather intelligence and map critical underwater infrastructure.
In an address to MPs, Healey described the incident as “another example of growing Russian aggression” and issued a stark warning to President Vladimir Putin: “We see you, we know what you’re doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.”
Yantar was tracked 45 miles off the British coast in the English Channel on Monday. The Royal Navy deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the ship as it moved through UK waters. Healey revealed that the Navy’s rules of engagement had been adjusted, allowing warships to operate closer to Yantar to enhance surveillance.
The Defence Secretary also disclosed that a Royal Navy submarine had surfaced near the Russian vessel—an unusual deterrence measure—to demonstrate the UK’s covert monitoring capabilities.
“The ship has complied with international rules of navigation and has since moved to the North Sea,” Healey stated, noting that this was the second time Yantar had been detected in UK waters in recent months. In November, the vessel was observed “loitering” over critical undersea infrastructure before leaving for the Mediterranean.
Yantar, officially described by Russia as an oceanic research vessel, is equipped with advanced surveillance tools and submersible drones capable of reaching the ocean floor. Western officials believe the ship’s activities are part of Russia’s effort to map undersea cables and other infrastructure, a concern amplified since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Undersea infrastructure is crucial for energy supply through power cables and pipelines, and more than 95% of global internet traffic relies on submarine cables. The UK and its NATO allies have intensified their focus on protecting these assets following the damage to an undersea cable between Estonia and Finland in December.
Healey confirmed that the Royal Air Force would deploy surveillance aircraft to NATO missions aimed at safeguarding critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge expressed bipartisan support for the government’s transparency and actions against the Russian naval threat. He endorsed the Navy’s stricter rules of engagement, calling them “a powerful signal to Putin.”
Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps urged the government to adopt a more assertive approach, including impounding vessels suspected of espionage. “We all know what they’re up to,” Shapps said, emphasizing the need for a proactive stance.
Sir Gavin Williamson, another former defence secretary, stressed that the threat from Russian naval activity had “grown exponentially” and called for significant increases in resources for the Royal Navy and RAF.
The monitoring of Yantar underscores the UK’s growing concerns over Russian naval activities in European waters. As Russia continues to escalate its intelligence-gathering efforts, Western nations are ramping up their defenses to protect critical infrastructure and deter further provocations.
With NATO allies rallying to address these threats, the UK’s actions send a clear message to Moscow: any attempts to undermine the nation’s security will be met with vigilance and decisive action.