Britain tracking Russian spy ship after lasers disrupt RAF pilots
by Chris Benson · UPINov. 19 (UPI) -- An alleged Russian spyship near British waters deployed lasers in order to impede Royal Air Force pilots attempting to monitor the ship, British Defense Secretary John Healey said.
The vessel named Yantar made its second known visit this year, north of Scotland and entered British waters in the last few weeks. Healey said officials were taking Russia's "deeply dangerous" maritime moves "extremely seriously."
On Wednesday, the British Defense Ministry confirmed the Royal Navy deployed a frigate ship and deployed aircraft to track the vessel's every move.
"During which the Yantar directed light lasers at our pilots," the ministry posted to social media.
Healey said the ship was "designed for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables."
"My message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you. We know what you're doing. And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready," Healey added.
British defense officials indicated it was part of Russia's Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research designed to "undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict."
Healey stated the ship was part of a Russian fleet designed to "put and hold our undersea infrastructure and those of our allies at risk."
In January, he issued an initial warning about the Yantar after it was spotted in British territory.
"That is why we've been determined, whenever the Yantar comes into British wider waters, we track it, we deter it and we say to Putin we are ready, and we do that alongside allies" and NATO, Healey said.
Healey said Britain has "military options ready" should the Yantar change course, but stopped short of revealing possible tactics because "that only makes President Putin wiser."
Meanwhile, Healey said he altered Royal Navy engagement rules to more closely follow the Yantar when its "in our wider waters," he said.
"Anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous," he said at No. 10 Downing Street about risks posed by lasers.