UK Warns Putin After Yantar Aims Lasers at RAF Near Scotland

Overview

• Defence Secretary John Healey said the Russian vessel Yantar directed lasers at Royal Air Force pilots monitoring it, calling the action deeply dangerous.
• The ship is operating at the edge of UK waters off northern Scotland as a Royal Navy frigate and RAF aircraft track its movements.
• Healey said the UK has military options ready and signaled a response if the vessel heads south this week.
• Officials describe Yantar as designed for intelligence collection and seabed mapping that could jeopardize submarine cables and other critical infrastructure.
• Healey said he tightened naval rules of engagement for closer tracking, noted this is the second Yantar deployment near Britain in 2025, and reported no public response from Moscow.