'We See You. We Are Ready': UK Issues Sharp Warning After Russian Ship Enters British Waters

The United Kingdom on Wednesday issued a strong warning to Russia after confirming that a Russian naval vessel entered British waters and directed lasers at its pilots.

British Defence Secretary John Healey said that this was the second such incident involving the ship, named Yantar, this year.

Speaking at a press briefing in Downing Street, Healey said the Yantar had moved into the UK’s wider waters over recent weeks and was now positioned north of Scotland.

He noted that the UK deployed a Royal Navy frigate and Royal Air Force aircraft to monitor the vessel closely. During this operation, the Russian ship allegedly pointed lasers at British pilots, an action Healey described as “deeply dangerous”.

In a clear message to Moscow, Healey said: “My

message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you’re doing,’’ Healey said during a briefing in London. “And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.”

Healey noted that the Yantar is believed to be part of a Russian fleet designed to target or disrupt undersea infrastructure, including communication and power cables. “It is part of a Russian fleet designed to put and hold our undersea infrastructure and those of our allies at risk,” he noted.

Britain and NATO allies have raised concerns in recent months about the vulnerability of underwater networks after several instances of sabotage involving cables in European waters.

UK officials say the Yantar is capable of both surveillance and sabotage, and is therefore tracked whenever it nears British territory. Healey highlighted that this was not the ship’s first encounter with the UK.

After being warned last year, the vessel withdrew to the Mediterranean. When it passed through the English Channel in January, it was shadowed by HMS Somerset, a Royal Navy frigate responsible for homeland defence.

(With inputs from agencies)