It’s emerged a Russian spy ship which spent time in the Irish Sea in November was shadowed by a Royal Navy submarine which was ordered to surface as a deterrent.
The Yantar was tracked for a week by the Royal Navy, RAF maritime patrol aircraft and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Defence Secretary John Healey gave MPs more information about the Yantar which is currently in the North Sea.
“Let me be clear: it is a Russian spy ship, used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure,” the Minister told Parliament. “For the past two days, the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the vessel, every minute, in our waters, and I have changed the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement so that our warships can get closer and better track Yantar.”
It is the second time that Yantar, a 354ft 5,736 ton ship with a crew of 60, has entered UK waters in recent months.
Mr Healy went on to set out how the ship was also closely watched and was detected loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure in November.
“Today, I also confirm to the House that I authorised a Royal Navy submarine to surface close to Yantar – strictly as a deterrent measure – to make it clear that we had been covertly monitoring its every move,” Mr Healy said.
The submarine involved was likely to have been a Barrow-built Astute class boat.
“With our NATO allies, we are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near the UK or near NATO territory,” the Defence Secretary said.
