UK warns of readiness to detain Russian vessels

The UK’s military is ready to detain Russian vessels off the kingdom's coast.

The Royal Navy has been keeping track of a Russian spy ship, which was detected near UK waters earlier this week, Defence Secretary John Healey said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Healey stated that the vessel, named Yantar, was engaged in intelligence gathering and surveying the UK’s vital underwater infrastructure. 

He described the incident as "yet another example of escalating Russian aggression." 

Healey added: "I also wanted President [Vladimir] Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you're doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country."

Russia refers to the Yantar as an oceanographic research vessel, which is operated by the country's Ministry of Defence. Western nations have frequently monitored the ship as it operates in European waters, suspecting that part of its mission involves mapping undersea cables. There are concerns that Russia has increased these activities since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In addition to surveillance equipment, the ship is capable of deploying submersible drones that can reach the ocean floor. 

The embassy accused "the British establishment and its controlled media" of "anti-Russian alarmism" intended to "deliberately provoke tension in the Baltic and North Sea regions." Undersea infrastructure is vital for energy supply through power cables and pipelines, while over 95 per cent of global internet traffic is transmitted via undersea cables. 

Healey stated that the Yantar is currently in the North Sea, having been spotted 45 miles off the British coast in the English Channel before heading there.

"For the last two days the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the vessel every minute through our waters," he said. "I changed the Royal Navy's rules of engagement so that our warships can get closer and better track the Yantar. So far, the ship has complied with international rules of navigation." 

The Defence Secretary mentioned that this was the second time in recent months the Yantar had entered British waters, with the vessel also being spotted "hovering over UK critical undersea infrastructure" in November. 

He noted that a Royal Navy submarine had been permitted to surface near the Yantar, an unusually rare action.

Healey described this as "strictly a deterrent measure" and a way "to make clear that we have been covertly monitoring its every move." The ship was also given a verbal warning.

By Naila Huseynova