U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey began a speech on Britain’s war mobilization by accusing Russia of shining lasers at Royal Air Force planes that were surveilling a Russian research ship off the coast of Scotland. “As I speak, a Russian spy ship—the Yantar—is on the edge of U.K. waters, north of Scotland, having entered the U.K.’s wider waters over the last few weeks,” he said according to the Ministry of Defense transcript. “This is a vessel used for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables. We deployed a Royal Navy frigate, and RAF P-8 planes to monitor and track the vessel’s every move, during which the Yantar directed light lasers at our pilots.”
“That Russian action was deeply dangerous,” Healey continued. “And this was the second time this year that this ship—the Yantar—has deployed to U.K. waters. So, my message to Russia and to Putin, is this: We see you. We know what you are doing. And if Yantar travels South this week, we are ready.”
Press reports included even more provocative quotes than in the transcript. Healey has changed the Navy’s rules of engagement to allow them to track the Yantar more closely, the Daily Mail reported. “We have military options ready should the Yantar change course,” he added, though he would not go into detail, citing security reasons.
The Russian embassy in London responded with a warning that Healey’s statements on the Yantar are leading to a deterioration in European security. “With its Russophobic course and escalation of militaristic hysteria, London is contributing to the further degradation of European security and creating conditions for new dangerous situations,” the embassy said, reported TASS. “We urge the U.K. to refrain from taking steps that exacerbate the crisis in Europe.”
