Overview
- Defence Secretary John Healey said the Russian research vessel Yantar is loitering on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland after entering the UK's wider waters in recent weeks.
- Healey reported that lasers were directed at RAF pilots during surveillance flights, calling the action deeply dangerous.
- The UK has deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft to monitor the ship’s movements in the North Atlantic approaches.
- Healey warned Moscow that “we see you” and said Britain is ready to respond if the vessel travels south, noting this is the ship’s second deployment to UK waters this year.
- The Yantar is described as an intelligence-gathering platform focused on undersea infrastructure and linked to Russia’s GUGI program, as NATO and UK officials highlight broader tests of alliance resolve and MPs flag gaps in Britain’s home-defence planning.