UK ready for military response after laser incident involving Russian ship Former MI6 chief tells journalists

Former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove has warned that the United Kingdom is prepared to escalate its response to Russia after an incident involving the Russian vessel Yantar near Scotland.

The ship allegedly used a laser to temporarily blind Royal Air Force pilots, prompting Defence Secretary John Healey to condemn the act as “dangerous” and to state that the UK has military countermeasures ready.

Speaking to Sky News, Dearlove said the Royal Navy could respond by “firing a warning shot” or forcibly redirecting the Yantar if it approaches sensitive British infrastructure. He noted that the vessel can deploy underwater vehicles and is believed to be surveying communication systems such as seabed cables and power lines.

The Russian Embassy in London rejected the allegations, insisting that Yantar is a research vessel operating entirely within international waters.

Russia has previously been suspected of damaging undersea cables, including during an incident in the Baltic last year, and its ships are frequently monitored when they move close to UK territory.

Dearlove argued that Russia’s ongoing “grey-zone warfare” strategy involves taking actions that are “hostile” and “provocative,” and that the UK’s firm support for Ukraine makes it a prominent target. He added that, in the current geopolitical climate, Russia is willing to take almost any step short of direct military confrontation. As an example, he cited a recent attempt to blow up a major railway line in Poland used to transport military supplies into Ukraine.

The defence secretary’s remarks follow a parliamentary report warning that the UK remains without a coherent plan to defend itself from potential attacks, despite government commitments to enhance military readiness through the construction of new munitions facilities.

In response to these concerns, the UK is increasing security preparations and improving infrastructure to scale up ammunition production. Construction of the first of the planned new factories is set to begin next year.

By Tamilla Hasanova