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10h ago

UK Says Russian Spy Ship Aimed Lasers at RAF as Navy Shadows Yantar off Scotland

London signals readiness to act should the vessel head south, with revised tracking rules in place.

Ein Bild des russischen Spionageschiffs Yantar, das vor der Nordküste Schottlands operiert.
Ein Blick auf die russische Yantar.
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Overview

  • The Yantar is reported at the edge of UK waters north of Scotland after entering the UK's wider waters in recent weeks, with HMS Somerset and RAF aircraft tracking its movements.
  • Defence Secretary John Healey says the ship directed lasers at RAF pilots monitoring it, calling the tactic extremely dangerous and confirming this as the first such use against UK aircrew by Yantar.
  • Britain has warned Moscow and says unspecified military options are prepared if the vessel alters course toward UK waters, while declining to disclose details.
  • Officials describe Yantar as part of a Russian program linked to GUGI designed for intelligence gathering and mapping of undersea cables, raising concerns over surveillance in peacetime and potential sabotage in conflict.
  • UK monitoring reportedly included RAF P‑8 Poseidon flights between November 5 and 11, marking the ship’s second presence around UK waters this year after a January sighting.