A Russian “spy” ship has been monitored by the Royal Navy after it entered UK waters earlier this week, the defence secretary has said – as he issued a warning to President Vladimir Putin.
The vessel, called Yantar, has been used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure, John Healey told MPs.
The UK and its NATO allies are increasingly concerned about the risk that President Putin‘s country poses to offshore cables, pipelines and other infrastructure.
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Mr Healey said Yantar entered the “UK exclusive economic zone about 45 miles off the British coast” on Monday.
He said that for the last two days, the Royal Navy has deployed Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and patrol ship HMS Tyne to “monitor the vessel every minute through our waters”.
In a direct message to Mr Putin, he said: “We see you, we know what you’re doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.”
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Navy rules of engagement changed
The defence secretary said he changed the navy’s rules of engagement so “our warships can get closer and better track the Yantar”.
He said the ship “has complied with international rules of navigation” and has since sailed into the North Sea.
Russia has said Yantar is an oceanographic research ship which is operated by its defence ministry.
Second incident in months
Mr Healey told the House of Commons it was the second time Yantar had entered British waters in recent months, after it was detected in November “loitering over critical undersea infrastructure”.
Back then, a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine was used to warn off the “spy” ship.
Mr Healey added: “I authorised a Royal Navy submarine, strictly as a deterrent measure, to surface close to Yantar to make clear that we had been covertly monitoring its every move.
“The ship then left UK waters without further loitering and sailed down to the Mediterranean.”
‘Monitoring its every move’
RAF maritime patrol aircraft, minehunter HMS Cattistock, offshore patrol vessel HMS Tyne and surveillance ship RFA Proteus were also deployed “to shadow Yantar’s every movement”.
Mr Healey added: “I authorised a Royal Navy submarine, strictly as a deterrent measure, to surface close to Yantar to make clear that we had been covertly monitoring its every move.
“The ship then left UK waters without further loitering and sailed down to the Mediterranean.”
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Mr Healey warned: “Russia remains the most pressing and immediate threat to Britain, and I want to assure the House and the British people that any threat will be met with strength and resolve.”
P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint spy planes will join the NATO operation to protect undersea cabling in the Baltic Sea, while RFA Proteus has also been deployed to monitor offshore infrastructure.
