A Russian spy ship has directed lasers at UK military pilots monitoring its activities near British waters, Defence Secretary John Healey has warned. The Yantar is currently operating at the edge of UK waters off the northern coast of Scotland.
Healey revealed at a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday that Britain deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 planes to track the vessel. The ship's purpose: gathering intelligence and mapping crucial undersea cables.
"We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 planes to monitor and track this vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots," Healey said. "That Russian action is deeply dangerous. This is the second time this year that this ship, the Yantar, has deployed to UK waters."
Warning to Putin
The Defence Secretary issued a direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you're doing. If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready," Healey stated.
He described the Yantar as part of a broader Russian threat to critical infrastructure. "It is part of a Russian fleet designed to put and hold our undersea infrastructure and those of our allies at risk," he explained.
Russian Intelligence Program
The operation extends beyond a simple naval deployment. "It isn't just a naval operation. It's part of a Russian programme driven by what they call the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, or GUGI, and this is designed to have capabilities which can undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict," Healey said.
In January, the Yantar was caught lurking over undersea cables and was warned off by a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine. The UK and NATO allies are increasingly concerned about Moscow's threat to offshore cables, pipelines and infrastructure critical to internet connectivity.
A September report by the National Security Strategy Committee warned that attacks on undersea cables could cause "catastrophic disruption" to the financial and communications systems Britons rely on.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
