UK warns Putin after Russian spy ship enters British waters and aims lasers at military pilots - India Today
The UK has strongly condemned a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, for directing lasers at RAF pilots monitoring its activities off Scotland. Defence Secretary John Healey described the incident as “deeply dangerous” and warned Moscow that Britain is prepared to retaliate if the vessel changes course. The Yantar, linked to Russia’s deep-sea research agency (GUGI), is suspected of mapping undersea cables and gathering intelligence. In response to the threat, the UK has deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 surveillance aircraft, while also revising naval rules of engagement to track the ship more closely. The Russian embassy dismissed the allegations as Russophobic and insisted their operations do not target UK security.
The Key points
- The Russian spy ship Yantar allegedly used lasers against RAF pilots monitoring it near Scotland.
- Defence Secretary John Healey called the action “deeply dangerous” and stressed that the UK is watching closely.
- Britain has deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 aircraft to shadow the vessel.
- The Yantar is part of Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), which can conduct both intelligence gathering and sabotage.
- The UK has updated its naval rules of engagement to allow more aggressive monitoring of the ship.
- Healey warned that the UK has “military options ready” if the Yantar moves further south.
- This is reportedly the second time this year that the Yantar has entered UK-adjacent waters.
- The laser targeting is said to have taken place while RAF pilots were tracking the ship’s movement.
- The UK is concerned about the Yantar’s capability to map and potentially threaten critical undersea infrastructure, like communication cables.
- Russia’s embassy in London has rejected the claims, accusing the UK of “militaristic hysteria” and saying the accusations are baseless
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