The UK has accused a Russian spy ship of directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots monitoring the vessel near Scottish waters. Defence Secretary John Healey warned that Britain is ready to take military action if the ship alters its course.

The Russian intelligence ship Yantar, known for undersea surveillance and mapping, has spent weeks near UK waters. British officials claim the ship aimed lasers at RAF pilots sent to monitor it, a move the Defence Secretary described as “deeply dangerous.”

A Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 aircraft have been deployed to track the ship, which operates primarily for intelligence gathering but could pose a threat to critical undersea infrastructure.

Britain prepares military options

Speaking in London, Healey warned Russia and President Vladimir Putin: “We see you. We know what you’re doing. And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.”

The Defence Secretary has revised the navy’s rules of engagement to allow closer monitoring of the vessel, emphasizing that military options remain on the table should the ship’s activities escalate.

Russian' response

In response, the Russian embassy in London accused the UK of stoking “militaristic hysteria” and being “Russophobic.” Moscow said its actions do not threaten the UK and urged Britain to avoid steps that could exacerbate tensions in Europe.

The Yantar has previously surveilled UK defenses, including a January passage through the English Channel. British officials warn that Kremlin-linked vessels, including parts of the so-called “shadow fleet,” have engaged in attacks on pipelines and undersea cables, representing a new form of hybrid warfare.

In December, Finnish authorities seized a Russian-linked ship suspected of damaging an undersea power cable between Finland and Estonia.

Healey’s warning coincides with plans to increase UK defence spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, more than double last year’s 2.3 percent. Part of the £1.5 billion investment includes developing 13 sites to manufacture munitions and explosives, creating over 1,000 jobs.