Britain responded to Russian ship’s espionage in its waters

The Royal Navy has tracked the Russian vessel Yantar in British waters, raising serious concerns about possible sabotage by Russia.

The Russian vessel Yantar was collecting intelligence and mapping critical British underwater infrastructure, Defence Secretary John Healy said, Radio Liberty reports.

The Russian vessel entered British waters on January 20, prompting the Royal Navy to send two ships to escort it. After conducting reconnaissance in areas where Britain’s critical infrastructure is located, the Yantar left British waters and headed for the North Sea.

“I want President Putin to hear: we see you, we know what you are doing and we are ready to take decisive action to protect our country,” Healy said.

He also stressed that the UK would not allow Russia’s “shadow fleet” to finance the illegal invasion of Ukraine and would continue to expose the Kremlin’s actions.

The incident with the Yantar occurred against the backdrop of a strengthened NATO presence in the Baltic Sea, where underwater power lines and internet cables were recently damaged. European governments and the US suggest that the Russian “shadow fleet” is behind this.

The UK said it would provide maritime patrols and surveillance aircraft to strengthen NATO’s response to damage to underwater infrastructure.

In recent months, sightings of Russian ships have become more frequent. For example, in November, the Yantar was already spotted near British waters, and in December a British frigate escorted a Russian naval group near the English Channel.

USM recently reported that another Russian “research” vessel is suspected of espionage off the coast of Portugal.