A recently declassified photograph depicts a British submarine encountering the Russian spy vessel Yantar. This incident follows Defense Secretary John Healey’s disclosure in November that the Yantar had targeted RAF pilots with lasers and was operating near UK waters. He condemned Russia’s actions as extremely dangerous, noting that the Yantar specializes in intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) released an image showing a Royal Navy submarine and helicopter confronting the Russian ship. In a separate event in November 2024, RAF maritime patrol aircraft, along with HMS Cattistock, HMS Tyne, and RFA Proteus, were deployed to monitor the Yantar’s movements.
During a parliamentary session in January, Mr. Healey authorized a Royal Navy submarine to surface near the Yantar as a deterrent measure, emphasizing that they were covertly monitoring the vessel’s activities. The Defense Secretary confirmed that the Yantar eventually left UK waters and sailed to the Mediterranean.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence stated, “Our message to President Putin is clear: We are vigilant, aware of your actions, and ready to take strong measures to safeguard our country.” They highlighted the threat posed by Russia, including attempts by GUGI to map undersea infrastructure, and outlined proactive measures being taken, such as imposing sanctions, monitoring Russian vessels in UK waters, and advancing anti-submarine technology.
Through the Atlantic Bastion program, the UK is leading the development of new hybrid navies to protect critical undersea infrastructure using autonomous vessels, AI-equipped sensors, warships, and aircraft.
Mr. Healey emphasized the Yantar as a symbol of the growing Russian threat and reiterated that the UK was closely monitoring its activities. He emphasized past actions taken to track the vessel covertly, including surfacing a nuclear-powered submarine near the Yantar. The Russian embassy in London accused the UK government of being hostile towards Russia and fostering militaristic tensions.