The Royal Navy has been actively monitoring the Russian spy ship Yantar as it navigated the English Channel this week, just weeks after it was caught loitering near critical undersea infrastructure in UK waters. HMS Somerset was deployed to shadow the vessel as part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to counter the threat posed by Russian maritime activity.

Previous Encounter and Increased Surveillance

In November, a Royal Navy submarine surfaced close to Yantar to warn it had been covertly monitoring the ship’s movements. Following this encounter, Yantar left UK waters for the Mediterranean but has now returned, prompting a swift response from the Royal Navy.

The renewed activity comes amidst heightened concerns over the security of undersea infrastructure across Europe, especially after recent damage to the Estlink2 undersea cable between Estonia and Finland.

UK Leads NATO Response

The UK is playing a pivotal role in strengthening NATO’s capabilities to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and beyond. As part of this initiative, the Royal Air Force is contributing P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft to NATO’s Baltic Sentry activity, aimed at monitoring and countering potential threats to offshore infrastructure.

The advanced AI-driven Nordic Warden system has also been activated to monitor Russian vessels and detect potential threats to undersea infrastructure. This cutting-edge system utilizes multiple data sources to generate alerts, which are shared with NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force partners.

Government Commitment

Defence Secretary John Healey MP issued a strong statement addressing the Kremlin:

“My message to President Putin is clear. We know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect Britain. National security is our government’s first duty and a foundation of our Plan for Change. Alongside our Joint Expeditionary Force and NATO allies, we are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near UK or NATO territory.”

Countering the Shadow Fleet

The UK has also led efforts to disrupt Russia’s “shadow fleet” of ships used to circumvent sanctions by transporting oil and gas. As part of a global initiative launched by the Prime Minister, 93 Russian oil tankers have been sanctioned to prevent funding for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Technological Advancements in Maritime Security

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s multi-role ocean surveillance ship, RFA Proteus, has been central to these efforts, deploying submersible drones to inspect and protect undersea cables and pipelines. Proteus was also involved in monitoring Yantar during its previous activities in UK waters.

Strategic Importance

Protecting undersea critical infrastructure is a priority for the UK, as it underpins the country’s economy and national security. The deployment of cutting-edge AI systems and active maritime patrols demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial waters and supporting its allies in countering Russian aggression.

The UK’s proactive measures reflect its role as a leader in NATO and a staunch defender of European security amidst growing geopolitical tensions.