Overview
- The ship is at the edge of UK territorial waters north of Scotland after entering the UK's exclusive economic zone in recent weeks, in its second such approach this year.
- A Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft are closely tracking the vessel’s movements.
- Defense Secretary John Healey says RAF crews were targeted with lasers during monitoring flights and describes the conduct as dangerous.
- Healey has revised naval rules of engagement to permit closer shadowing and says military options are prepared if the vessel turns south toward UK territory.
- UK officials link Yantar to Russia’s GUGI program and accuse it of mapping undersea cables, while the Russian Embassy denies hostile intent and says the ship operates in international waters.