Britain has raised serious concerns after accusing a Russian spy ship of directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots operating near Scottish waters. The vessel, known as Yantar, has been under close watch due to its history of undersea surveillance and possible links to operations targeting critical infrastructure.
According to UK officials, RAF pilots monitoring the ship reported that lasers were aimed at their aircraft, a move described as dangerous and provocative. The UK has responded by deploying a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 aircraft to track Yantar’s movements as it lingers near British waters.
Defence Secretary John Healey warned that the UK is prepared to take military action if the ship changes its course in a threatening direction. He stated that Britain will not tolerate actions that put pilots or national security at risk. Healey has also adjusted the Navy’s rules of engagement to allow tighter monitoring of Russian vessels in the region.
Russia has rejected the accusations, calling the UK’s reaction “militaristic hysteria” and insisting that its activities pose no threat. The Russian embassy in London claims the UK is exaggerating the situation and fueling unnecessary tensions in Europe.
The concern over Yantar comes amid a series of incidents involving Russian-linked ships around European waters. Officials warn that these vessels may be involved in hybrid operations targeting pipelines and undersea cables. Earlier, Finnish authorities seized a ship suspected of damaging a power cable between Finland and Estonia.
The UK’s warning arrives as the government moves ahead with plans to increase defence spending. Britain aims to raise defence expenditure to 5% of GDP by 2035, with significant investments planned for new munitions manufacturing sites expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.
As Russian ships continue to operate near critical infrastructure, British officials say close monitoring will remain a top priority to prevent any potential threats.
