The British Royal Navy is closely monitoring the movements of the Russian spy ship Yantar in the English Channel, the United Kingdom reported on Wednesday.
HMS Somerset is tracking the vessel, which was detected weeks ago operating near Britain’s critical underwater infrastructure, raising concerns over national security.
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British Defence Minister John Healey confirmed to Parliament that the Yantar is currently in the North Sea, approximately 72 kilometers off the British coast. The vessel has been tracked by HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne in a coordinated operation to monitor potential threats.
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Threat to Underwater Infrastructure
Healey highlighted that the Yantar is known for its capabilities in gathering intelligence and mapping strategic underwater infrastructure, activities that pose a significant threat to national security.
“We know what it is doing, and we will not shy away from taking strong action to protect this country,” Healey stated, issuing a direct warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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The minister also noted that this is the second time in a few months that the Yantar has been detected in British waters. In November, the same vessel was spotted near sensitive underwater infrastructure, reinforcing concerns over possible damage to telecommunication and energy networks.
Growing Concerns in Europe
The incident comes at a time of heightened European vigilance over Russian activities near key infrastructure. In recent months, several undersea cables and pipelines have been damaged, with British and European authorities attributing the incidents to ships linked to Moscow.
In response, the United Kingdom has stepped up its maritime security operations. The government announced the deployment of Royal Air Force aircraft to support a new NATO mission aimed at protecting infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In December, four undersea telecommunication cables were cut in the region following the passage of the Russian ship Eagle S, heightening suspicions of sabotage.
Alliances and Defence
Healey emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing these threats. The UK, in collaboration with NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, is expanding its surveillance capabilities to prevent Russian ships and aircraft from operating covertly near allied territories.
“Together with our allies, we are taking all necessary steps to protect our critical infrastructure and expose Russia’s malign activities,” Healey declared.
This operation reaffirms London’s commitment to maintaining the security of its waters and infrastructure while sending a clear message to Russia about the consequences of its actions.
Source: www.gov.uk. Photo and video: X @DefenceHQ. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
