London, UK – A Russian spy vessel, the Yantar, was monitored in the English Channel this week by the British Navy, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed on Tuesday. The ship is believed to be part of a Russian operation to map critical underwater infrastructure, including undersea cables.
Speaking to parliament, Healey described the Yantar as a ship designed for “gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure.” He added, “Let me be clear, this is a Russian spy ship.”
The vessel entered UK waters on Monday, marking the second such incursion in three months. Two Royal Navy ships were deployed to track the Yantar until it moved into Dutch waters, Healey said.
The defence secretary condemned the incident as “another example of growing Russian aggression,” accusing Moscow of targeting undersea infrastructure vital to Europe’s oil, gas, electricity, and internet systems.
Heightened Tensions
Healey issued a direct warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “We see you. We know what you are doing. And we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment in detail during a Thursday press briefing, saying he was “not really familiar with the subject.”
The Yantar has previously been detected in British waters. In November, it was observed loitering over undersea cables and was tracked by Royal Navy warships, patrol aircraft, and a submarine, Healey said.
Concerns about Russian activities in European waters have intensified following several incidents of undersea cable damage in the Baltic Sea since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Baltic Sea Incidents
In December, an undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia was damaged. Finnish authorities are investigating the possibility of Russian involvement, with Healey noting that “many analysts believe this was caused by a vessel in Russia’s shadow fleet.”
Russia has dismissed such allegations as “evidence-free.” Last week, Moscow accused NATO and Western nations of using the incidents as a pretext to hinder Russian seaborne oil exports.
NATO Response
In response to the rising concerns, NATO announced the launch of “Baltic Sentry,” a new mission aimed at bolstering surveillance of ships in the Baltic Sea and safeguarding undersea cables.
While NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte refrained from directly blaming Russia for the recent incidents, he emphasized the alliance’s commitment to monitoring Moscow’s shadow fleet.
The British government has reiterated its commitment to protecting vital infrastructure, viewing the Yantar’s movements as a reminder of the need for heightened vigilance against potential threats.
