A senior UK defence minister has issued a stark warning to Parliament, revealing that a Russian spy ship is actively threatening the nation's critical underwater infrastructure and has engaged in dangerous and reckless acts against British forces.
Laser Attack on RAF Personnel
Defence Minister Al Carns informed MPs that the Russian vessel Yantar, part of the Kremlin's deep-sea research fleet, directed a laser at Royal Air Force personnel. The incident occurred earlier in November 2025 while the crew was operating a P-8 patrol aircraft monitoring the ship's movements.
Mr Carns described the act as a highly dangerous and reckless attempt to disrupt our monitoring. He confirmed that the RAF personnel involved were medically assessed and found to have suffered no injuries, but the act significantly escalated tensions.
A Direct Threat to National Security
The minister stated that the Yantar's mission is far from benign. He told the Commons that the vessel and others in its fleet are designed to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime but are intended to damage or destroy that same infrastructure in deep water during a conflict.
Russia has been developing a military capability to use against critical underwater infrastructure for decades, Mr Carns stated, adding that this poses a direct threat to our economics and our way of life.
The Yantar has been detected in British waters on at least two occasions this year, including an incursion between November 5 and 11 north of Scotland. It was also warned off by a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine in January.
Government's Firm Response and Warnings
In a separate statement, Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised that the UK is in a new era of threat and that the government is fully aware of the Yantar's activities. He issued a direct warning to Vladimir Putin, stating, We see you, we know what you're doing.
Mr Healey confirmed that military options are ready should the Yantar change its course, and revealed that the vessel is being continuously tracked by assets including the Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and RAF P-8 aircraft.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper linked Russia's escalating actions, including a recent alleged act of sabotage on a Polish railway line, to its failures on the battlefield in Ukraine. She offered the UK's full support to Poland in its investigation.
The Dutch navy also escorted the Yantar out of the Netherlands' part of the North Sea earlier in November, highlighting broader European concerns over the vessel's activities.
