Overview
- Royal Navy and RAF assets, including a P-8 Poseidon, are tracking the ship near the 12‑mile limit north of Scotland in the second such approach this year.
- RAF aircrew reported the vessel aimed lasers at their aircraft during monitoring, which UK officials described as dangerous.
- John Healey said naval rules of engagement have been adjusted for closer tracking and that military options are ready if the ship alters course.
- UK officials link Yantar to Russia’s GUGI unit and to mapping submarine cables that could support sabotage in a conflict.
- Russia’s embassy denies hostile activity, calling Yantar an oceanographic research ship operating in international waters within the UK exclusive economic zone.