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A Russian intelligence vessel has been observed near UK territorial waters off northern Scotland, where it reportedly aimed lasers at surveillance aircraft pilots to interfere with their operations, according to the UK’s defence secretary. At a press briefing held at Downing Street, John Healey confirmed this marked the second occasion within a year that the ship, identified as the Yantar, had entered UK maritime zones. Healey emphasized that the vessel’s purpose is focused on intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables.
Providing further context on the ship’s mission, Healey explained that the Yantar belongs to a segment of Russia’s naval fleet dedicated to targeting undersea infrastructure belonging to both the UK and its allied nations. He elaborated that the ship’s activities are linked to a Russian organization known as the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), which is equipped to conduct peacetime surveillance and potentially sabotage in times of conflict. In response, Britain tracks and deters the vessel’s movements, issuing a clear message to Russia and its leadership about the UK’s preparedness.
Healey highlighted that this incident represented the first recorded instance of the Yantar using laser devices to disrupt Royal Air Force pilots, describing such actions as “deeply dangerous” and signalling that the UK government takes them with utmost seriousness. In light of these developments, the defence secretary has revised the Royal Navy’s engagement rules to allow for closer monitoring of the ship when it enters UK waters, while also confirming that military options remain in place should the Yantar alter its course. He refrained from disclosing specific strategies to avoid informing Russia’s leadership.
The UK Ministry of Defence has recently faced criticism from a parliamentary committee for its reliance on American defence resources and perceived lack of readiness to defend the UK and its overseas territories effectively. The committee urged the UK and European allies to bolster their military capabilities in anticipation of a possible US withdrawal. Healey countered this perspective, affirming the UK government’s confidence in America’s commitment to NATO and stressing the alliance’s mutual defence role. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the committee’s recommendation for accelerating Britain’s defence commitments, noting that this is an area where the current Labour government has been actively making progress since assuming office last year
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