UK Warns Russia After Spy Ship ‘Yantar’ Deploys Lasers at RAF Pilots
Britain’s defence chief signals readiness to act as the Russian vessel enters UK economic zone and targets military aircraft
The United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary announced on Wednesday that a Russian intelligence-collection vessel named the Yantar is currently operating on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland, and that its crew directed laser beams at pilots from the Royal Air Force during the monitoring mission.
The vessel has entered Britain’s exclusive economic zone and was being tracked by a Royal Navy frigate and RAF maritime patrol aircraft.
In a speech delivered in London, the Defence Secretary described the laser-targeting of military pilots as a “deeply dangerous” development and warned of a “new era of threat” from hostile actors.
He said the Yantar was designed for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea infrastructure — notably the submarine communications cables critical to UK and NATO connectivity — and that its presence near British waters must not go unchecked.
He made a direct message to Russia’s President: “We see you, we know what you’re doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.” The UK defence chief added that the rules of engagement for the Royal Navy had been revised so that British warships can shadow and monitor the vessel more closely, and that “military options are ready” should Yantar’s activities escalate.
Russia’s embassy in London responded by dismissing the UK statement as “provocative,” accusing Britain of “Russophobic hysteria” and asserting that the vessel was performing routine oceanographic research in international waters.
The embassy denied any targeting of UK undersea cables or threats to national security.
While the Yantar has entered Britain’s exclusive economic zone — extending up to 200 nautical miles offshore — it has remained outside the UK territorial sea, which is defined as up to 12 nautical miles from the coast.
Previously, the ship has been observed loitering near UK waters earlier this year and was shadowed by British naval assets in January, when a Royal Navy submarine surfaced near it as a deterrent.
The UK government views the most recent episode as part of a broader pattern of increasingly assertive Russian activity around NATO states, including drone incursions, airspace violations and under-sea infrastructure threats.
In announcing the warning, the Defence Secretary framed the incident as validation of the UK’s increased defence planning and spending, including new munitions production and closer alliance coordination.
The government reaffirmed its support for Ukraine and NATO and emphasised that Britain will remain vigilant in protecting its maritime approaches and critical infrastructure.
The vessel has entered Britain’s exclusive economic zone and was being tracked by a Royal Navy frigate and RAF maritime patrol aircraft.
In a speech delivered in London, the Defence Secretary described the laser-targeting of military pilots as a “deeply dangerous” development and warned of a “new era of threat” from hostile actors.
He said the Yantar was designed for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea infrastructure — notably the submarine communications cables critical to UK and NATO connectivity — and that its presence near British waters must not go unchecked.
He made a direct message to Russia’s President: “We see you, we know what you’re doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.” The UK defence chief added that the rules of engagement for the Royal Navy had been revised so that British warships can shadow and monitor the vessel more closely, and that “military options are ready” should Yantar’s activities escalate.
Russia’s embassy in London responded by dismissing the UK statement as “provocative,” accusing Britain of “Russophobic hysteria” and asserting that the vessel was performing routine oceanographic research in international waters.
The embassy denied any targeting of UK undersea cables or threats to national security.
While the Yantar has entered Britain’s exclusive economic zone — extending up to 200 nautical miles offshore — it has remained outside the UK territorial sea, which is defined as up to 12 nautical miles from the coast.
Previously, the ship has been observed loitering near UK waters earlier this year and was shadowed by British naval assets in January, when a Royal Navy submarine surfaced near it as a deterrent.
The UK government views the most recent episode as part of a broader pattern of increasingly assertive Russian activity around NATO states, including drone incursions, airspace violations and under-sea infrastructure threats.
In announcing the warning, the Defence Secretary framed the incident as validation of the UK’s increased defence planning and spending, including new munitions production and closer alliance coordination.
The government reaffirmed its support for Ukraine and NATO and emphasised that Britain will remain vigilant in protecting its maritime approaches and critical infrastructure.
