Britain’s Defence Minister, John Healey, issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that the UK “will not shy away from robust action” after confirming the presence of a Russian spy vessel, Yantar, in UK waters for the second time since November, as reported by the Financial Times.
The Yantar, identified as a Russian intelligence-gathering ship specializing in mapping underwater infrastructure, was tracked loitering in the English Channel near critical undersea infrastructure. A Royal Navy submarine surfaced near the vessel to signal that its movements were being closely monitored, Healey told the House of Commons on Wednesday.
“My message to President Putin is clear,” Healey declared. “We know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect Britain.” The Yantar has since left the Strait of Dover and entered Dutch waters, according to the Defence Ministry.
This latest encounter follows heightened NATO vigilance over undersea infrastructure after a series of sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea, where power cables and pipelines were damaged. In recent months, suspicious ships have dragged anchors along the seabed, causing significant damage to underwater infrastructure. NATO has responded by enhancing surveillance with drones, submarines, ships, and aircraft under a new mission, Baltic Sentry, announced last week.
To deter such threats, the UK has relaxed rules of naval engagement, allowing British warships to approach and inspect suspicious vessels more closely. Healey emphasized that the Royal Navy is prepared to take further action if necessary. “Like the surfacing of the submarine, this is specifically to deter and discourage the sort of activity that we simply don’t want to see in our waters,” he said.
The Yantar was previously observed off the UK coast in November before sailing to the Mediterranean, only to return to the Channel this week. It was escorted by the frigate HMS Somerset and the patrol vessel HMS Tyne, in addition to the surfaced submarine.
NATO’s increased focus on marine security comes in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent sabotage efforts targeting multiple nations. Healey affirmed the UK’s commitment to safeguarding its waters and critical infrastructure, vowing to “crack down on the Russian shadow fleet” and maintain heightened vigilance in coordination with NATO allies.
