British Navy Chases ‘Russian Spy Ship’ in the English Channel
British Defense Minister John Healey announced on Wednesday in Parliament that the Royal Navy is tracking the movements of a “Russian spy ship” that crossed British waters in the English Channel, issuing a warning to Russia by saying: “We know what you are doing.”
According to AFP, the minister clarified that “the Yantar ship is currently in the North Sea after crossing British waters,” confirming that it is “a Russian spy ship used to gather information and survey critical infrastructure on the seabed of the United Kingdom.”
He continued, “I also want Russian President Vladimir Putin to hear this message: We see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not hesitate to take strong action to protect this country.”
The ship entered British waters on Monday, about 72 kilometers off the coast, prompting the British Navy to deploy two ships to monitor it, according to Healey.
The minister said, “It was spotted sailing above a critical British facility on the seabed.” He added that the ship is now in the North Sea “after crossing British waters.”
Healey noted that this was the second time the ship had been spotted in British waters recently, with the first time being in November.
He explained that a British submarine surfaced near the Yantar “to clearly show that we had secretly monitored its every movement,” adding that the ship then headed towards the Mediterranean.
From the French side, the Channel and North Sea Maritime Administration reported the deployment of “French military resources” to track the ship’s movements, while also stating that it “did not show any hostile intentions.”
The administration told AFP, “It is common for a Russian ship to cross, and there is always close monitoring using security enforcement means.”
The British Ministry of Defense confirmed that the United Kingdom “plays a leading role in combating the growing threat posed by Russia to critical infrastructure in European waters.”
The Royal Air Force will provide aircraft for a new NATO deployment aimed at enhancing protection for infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Several undersea cables for communications and electricity were damaged in recent months in the Baltic Sea, with European officials and experts suspecting that these incidents are part of a “hybrid war” planned by Russia.
A meeting of NATO officials from countries bordering this vast sea was held last week in Finland to discuss ways to strengthen security there.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that the alliance will deploy ships, planes, and drones in the Baltic Sea in response to cable sabotage, aiming to “improve surveillance and deterrence.”
