Russian spy ship Yantar, or “scientific research ship” according to Russia
Tension grows between London and Moscow. The United Kingdom Government reported this Wednesday that the Russian spy ship Yantar aimed lasers at British planes that were monitoring its movements, after the vessel carried out an incursion into British waters.
A Russian spy ship entered British territorial waters north of Scotland and pointed lasers at military pilotsas the United Kingdom Minister of Defense said this Wednesday, John Healeywhich warns that the country faces a “new era of threats from hostile actors”.
“This Russian action is extremely dangerous and is already the second time this year that this ship, or Yantar, operates in British waters”, said the head of British diplomacy at a press conference, in which he warned Moscow that “London is ready” if the ship “changes its route”.
“This Russian action is deeply dangerous. My message to Russia and to Vladimir is this: we see you, we know what you are doing and, if Yantar heads south this week, we will be ready”, said the minister, quoted by .
The incident occurred while the ship, which had already been seen in UK waters in January, it was guarded by a frigate and P-8 planes of the Royal Air Force, after having entered British territorial waters, note a.
Healey stated that it is “the first time that this Russian spy ship, responsible for surveillance operations in times of peace and sabotage in times of conflict, carries out a action of this kind against the Royal Air Force“.
According to Russia, the Yantar is an oceanic research vessel. However, it has long been suspected thatis secretly mapping those of Great Britain, through which more than 90% of international communications are transferred, note a — including billions of dollars in financial transactions.
The British Defense Minister said he had ordered a change in Navy regulations to allow the Russian spy ship, which has the capacity to cause damage to oil pipelines and submarine cables, can be accompanied more closely.
In response, the Russian embassy in London appealed to the British authorities to “refrain from taking destructive measures that worsen the crisis on the European continent”, stressing that Moscow’s actions “do not affect the interests of the United Kingdom nintending to jeopardize your safety”.
“London, with its Russophobic stance and growing militarist hysteria, is further deteriorate European security and creating conditions for new dangerous situations”, highlighted the diplomatic representation in a statement published on Telegram.
The Embassy stated that “endless accusations and suspicions” by the British Government they only provoke “laughter” in Moscow. “We have no interest in the communications of British submarines”, he concluded.
The incursion comes after the British Government announced that the Royal Navy aircraft carrier ‘HMS Prince of Wales’and its F-35 fighters came under command from NATOwith the aim of “strengthening European security ties”.
