London: The British Navy has intensified measures to protect its waters following the detection of a Russian spy vessel, Yantar, in UK waters for the second time in recent weeks.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Yantar sailed through the English Channel earlier this week, escorted by HMS Somerset. The vessel first entered British waters in November, where it reportedly “loitered” near critical undersea infrastructure. After being warned by a British submarine, the ship departed for the Mediterranean but has since returned.
The recurrence of such incidents has heightened concerns about potential Russian sabotage of undersea infrastructure, particularly amid ongoing tensions related to Russia’s war in Ukraine. This follows a series of similar activities in the Baltic Sea, including damage to the Estlink2 undersea cable connecting Estonia and Finland in December.
Strengthening Maritime Defenses
In response, UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced a bolstered strategy to protect vital offshore assets, including cables and pipelines, with support from NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force. This effort includes deploying advanced maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft, as well as an artificial intelligence system called Nordic Warden to monitor and safeguard critical infrastructure.
“My message to President Putin is clear: we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect Britain,” Healey stated.
The Defence Secretary also emphasized the UK’s commitment to exposing and countering what he described as “malign activities” orchestrated by Russia, adding, “We will continue to crack down on the Russian shadow fleet to prevent funding for Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
Kremlin Responds
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment directly on the UK’s allegations during a briefing on Thursday. When questioned about the Yantar's reported transit through the English Channel, Peskov remarked that he was “not really familiar with the subject,” offering no further elaboration.
The situation underscores the growing concern among Western nations about covert Russian operations in international waters, as tensions between Russia and NATO-aligned countries remain high.
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