UK Warns Russia Over Spy Ship Yantar After Laser Attack on British Pilots in North Sea

The UK has accused Russia of escalating its intelligence operations after a Russian surveillance vessel, the Yantar, repeatedly entered British waters and targeted Royal Air Force pilots with lasers, in what Defence Secretary John Healey described as a “deeply dangerous” provocation. 

Image Source: Deborah Hannes

The incident, which unfolded in the UK's exclusive economic zone north of Scotland, is being treated as a significant breach of military conduct and a direct threat to British national security.

Speaking from Downing Street, Healey confirmed the UK government was monitoring the Yantar’s movements closely, with a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 surveillance aircraft tracking the ship. 

“We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF aircraft to monitor and track this vessel’s every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots,” he said. “Anything that disrupts or endangers our pilots is taken extremely seriously.”

This marks the first time Russia’s Yantar vessel has directly targeted British RAF personnel, according to UK officials. 

The spy ship, which is known for its capability to gather electronic intelligence and map undersea infrastructure, was also spotted in British waters earlier this year, but did not engage in direct hostile acts at that time.

The UK believes the Yantar is actively attempting to map undersea communication cables, a critical element of British and NATO defence infrastructure. 

Healey has since tightened naval rules of engagement, allowing British vessels to shadow the Yantar at much closer distances—reportedly no more than the length of a football pitch.

The Russian embassy in London dismissed the allegations as “Russophobic” and described the UK response as “militaristic hysteria.” 

In a statement, Russian officials insisted the Yantar was conducting oceanographic research in international waters and denied any interest in British military or civilian underwater assets.

Nevertheless, British defence officials are treating the Yantar’s repeated presence near key NATO maritime routes as part of a wider pattern of Russian hybrid threats, which include recent drone incursions over Poland and Belgium. 

The UK government has warned Moscow that if the ship moves further south, additional military responses are on standby.

Healey used the incident to justify increased defence spending, confirming that part of the expanded military budget would fund the construction of 13 new ammunition factories. “This is a new era of threat, and Britain must be ready,” he said.