Royal Navy Tracks Russian Spy Ship Yantar In The English Channel

The Royal Navy has been tracking the Russian spy ship Yantar while it transited through the English Channel this week.

Yantar officially described by Russia as an oceanographic research vessel, is equipped with advanced technology capable of tampering with or severing underwater cables and retrieving objects from deep-sea locations.

The ship was previously linked with espionage activities involving UK underwater assets. The Royal Navy deployed the Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and the patrol ship HMS Tyne to monitor Yantar’s movements.

HMS Somerset covertly launched its Merlin helicopter to track the ship as it entered the channel near Ushant, France, before proceeding through UK waters.

This ensured that Yantar’s activities were closely monitored as it travelled 45 miles off the UK coast within the exclusive economic zone.

Commander Matthew Teare of HMS Somerset discussed the importance of such missions, saying “Monitoring vessels like Yantar is a routine yet vital task to safeguard national security.”

Yantar was detected lingering near critical undersea infrastructure in UK waters in November.

The Royal Navy responded by surfacing a submarine close to the vessel. After this, Yantar departed for the Mediterranean but has now returned to UK waters.

The UK is taking strict measures to protect its undersea assets like data cables, oil pipelines, and electricity infrastructure. A recent incident involving damage to the Estlink2 cable between Estonia and Finland in the Baltic Sea.

Watching every move…#RoyalNavy warships @HMSSomerset and @HMSTyne are currently monitoring suspected Russian spy ship Yantar as it sails close to the UK.

It comes after a recent operation in which a #814NAS Merlin and @RFATidesurge tracked a Russian submarine and frigate.

— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) January 22, 2025

The UK has deployed advanced surveillance systems and resources. This includes P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint aircraft under NATO’s Baltic Sentry initiative.

An AI-powered system called Nordic Warden has been activated to monitor threats to undersea infrastructure. This system identifies risks and alerts NATO or Joint Expeditionary Force partners.

It has also been tracking Russia’s shadow fleet, which is known to transport oil and gas while evading sanctions.

The Royal Navy’s RFA Proteus, equipped with submersible drones, is actively assessing the security of undersea assets. The vessels monitored Yantar during its earlier visit to UK waters.

UK Defence Secretary John Healy has strongly criticised Russia’s activities targeting undersea infrastructure in European waters. He stated, “We see you. We know what you’re doing.”

Haeley also confirmed that Yantar’s movement was closely monitored throughout its transit in the Channel. NATO has reported three recent incidents of cable damage in the Baltic Sea, believed to involve Russian-linked vessels.

Yantar, operated by Russia’s Main Directorate Deep-Sea Research, has been involved in controversial missions, including recovering fighter jet wreckage off Syria and suspected espionage near Ireland.

Commander Hugo Floyer of HMS Tyne said, “It’s hard to overstate the importance of data cables, oil and gas pipelines, electricity cables for wind power and interconnectors that run under the sea, to the wealth and wellbeing of our island country.

“We are proud to play a part in protecting these vast networks that are out of our sight and often out of our minds, but are so vital to our nation and allies.

“The ship’s company of HMS Tyne know how important this job is, and I know they are all incredibly proud to serve at sea and play a part securing the energy and data we all rely on every moment, every day.”

Reference: Royal Navy

Source: Maritime Shipping News