Russia is reportedly operating in coordination with its best-known intelligence-gathering vessel, the Yantar, with the goal of mapping critical undersea infrastructure around the .
According to a revealing report by the Sunday Times, security sources said that in November last year, a Russian submarine discreetly followed the Yantar while it was inspecting a natural gas pipeline linking Britain to Ireland. It remains unclear whether it was one of the specially designed Russian sabotage submarines. In response, the Royal Navy developed its own submarine to track the Russian vessel.
In fact, a recently declassified photo published by the Sunday Times shows the encounter in the Irish Sea, with a British submarine and a Merlin Mk2 helicopter taking part in the surveillance operation.
This is not an isolated incident
Competent authorities believe that this incident is not an isolated one, but is part of a wider pattern of operations in which Russian submarines covertly escort the Yantar in sea areas near Britain.
It is recalled that last week the head of the Royal Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, warned that Russia is significantly increasing its investment in the elite deep-sea submarine unit (GUGI). As he pointed out, this development offers Moscow the possibility to take “physical action” against the United Kingdom and its Western allies.
Before the November 2024 incident, the Yantar had already come under close surveillance since it sailed from Russia’s Kola Peninsula. The ship headed for Norway, crossed the English Channel and entered the Irish Sea bound for the Isle of Man. During its course, it briefly activated its transponder near an area where the natural gas pipeline is exposed.
Yantar had also appeared this November in the area
In a more recent development, in November 2025, the Yantar was spotted again off the coast of Britain. Defense Secretary John Healy said on Wednesday that the Russian ship was on the edge of British waters north of Scotland, having moved for weeks within the UK’s greater territorial waters.
“This is a vessel specially designed to collect information and map our submarine cables,” he said. He added that a Royal Navy frigate and RAF aircraft were deployed to constantly monitor the ship’s every move, during which, according to Healy, the Yantar allegedly pointed lasers at the British pilots.
“This particular Russian action is extremely dangerous and is the second appearance of the Yantar in British waters within the same year,” concluded the minister.
