‘We see you’: Tensions between UK and Russia soar after ‘deeply dangerous’ spy ship provocation
Russia has been accused of another “extremely dangerous” provocative act, which has prompted ominous comments of “assertive relatiation” from the UK.
Tensions between Russia and the UK have escalated once again after one of its spy vessels in the North Sea was caught shining lasers at RAF pilots in a “deeply dangerous” act of provocation.
The stunt was a first-of-its-kind incident that Defence Secretary John Healey says Britain is treating “extremely seriously”.
The confrontation unfolded in recent weeks as the Yantar, a Russian intelligence-gathering ship, operated north of Scotland. Healey confirmed the ship had slipped into UK waters for the second time this year.
Given Moscow’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine and consistent outward posturing, the UK and its NATO allies have been treating Russian presence in far-reaching waters with caution.
Healy confirmed RAF Poseidon P-8 aircraft and a Royal Navy frigate had been shadowing the vessel at the time, tracking what he described as “the vessel’s every move” when the laser incident occurred.
“We have military options ready should the Yantar change course,” he said, though he declined to reveal what those options were.
“I am not going to reveal those because that only makes President Putin wiser.”
He then sent a direct message to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, a man who has long professed his disdain for Western dominance.
“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,” he said.
In another somewhat concerning escalation, Healy also confirmed that he has adjusted the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement so British ships can follow the Yantar more closely whenever it moves through “our wider waters”.
“Anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous,” he said.
Healey also used the opportunity to warn of Russian airspace incursions, the rising threat from China, and growing global instability. “Our world is changing,” he said.
“It is less predictable. It is more dangerous.”
The Russian Embassy predictably responded with its own statement, insisting Moscow was “not interested in British underwater communications” and claiming its activities “do not touch interests of the UK.”
It went on to accuse London of a “Russophobic path and increasing militaristic hysteria,” arguing the UK was worsening European security.
“We call on the British side to hold off taking any destructive steps which might aggravate the crisis situation on the European continent,” the statement warned.
Russia recently branded the UK as the “main source of global crises” and has deeply condemned the nation for its ongoing support of Ukraine.
The incident has generated quite a bit of war talk from certain UK officials.
Chair of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy Matt Western put it to the nation that the threat from Russia was very real. He ominously warned that the UK might need to consider “more assertive retaliation”.
“Today’s news demonstrates once again that Russia presents a genuine and immediate threat to the UK’s security,” he said.
Meanwhile, UK and NATO officials continue to voice concern about Russian interest in undersea cables, pipelines, and other vital infrastructure.
These are assets that form the backbone of global connectivity and are major targets for a nation wishing to sow chaos in the region.
The Yantar incident also nailed home an uncomfortable internal issue facing the UK at the moment.
It occurred on the same day a parliamentary committee criticised the Ministry of Defence for depending too heavily on American military support.
The report urged the UK and European allies to bolster their own capabilities in case of a future US pullback, something that is feared to be more likely given the current “volatile” administration in Washington.
Healey pushed back on suggestions of weakening US commitment but agreed that Britain “should pick up the pace of our commitment,” adding that Labour has already been working toward that goal since taking office last year.
The government is also racing to secure UK involvement in a new €150bn (A$266bn) EU defence loan programme launching next year. British officials hope to strike a deal within weeks so UK companies can bid in the scheme’s first funding round.
Originally published as ‘We see you’: Tensions between UK and Russia soar after ‘deeply dangerous’ spy ship provocation
