The Jantar, a Moscow intelligence ship, has been accused of using lasers to dazzle the crew of a British Air Force P-8 Poseidon aircraft, according to a statement The Telegraph and later confirmed official sources.
The incident occurred when the British aircraft It was deployed to follow the movements of the Yantar near the coast of Scotland. The Secretary of Defense of the United Kingdom, John Healey, assured that the use of lasers represents an unprecedented escalation: “It is the first time that Jantar acts in this way against our aviation. “We are taking it absolutely seriously.”
After the episode, a Royal Navy frigate keeps the Russian ship under permanent monitoring in waters in the north of the country. London believes that These types of maneuvers can compromise the safety of their pilots. and affect stability in an area already marked by maritime tension.
Healey has warned that the United Kingdom has “military options ready” in case the Yantar changes its course or carry out further hostile actions. He did not detail what type of measures are contemplated, but British sources point to protocols that include everything from aerial interceptions to deterrent naval maneuvers.
The presence of Yantar is not new. This is his second visit to the British environment so far this year. In January, the Royal Navy already had to deploy two ships to escort it when it sailed through UK territorial waters.
The behavior of the Russian ship has reignited the debate over Moscow’s intelligence activity in strategic European areas. London maintains that it will continue to monitor its movements and will respond “proportionately” to any provocation.
The event adds to other recent episodes in which Russia has been accused of using interference or intimidation techniques against Western aircraft, a pattern that worries NATO allies in the midst of deteriorating relations with the Kremlin.
