In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United Kingdom and Russia, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed on November 19, 2025, that a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, directed lasers at Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots tracking its movements near UK waters. The incident, which occurred within the last two weeks, marks the first time such a tactic has been used against British forces, and has prompted a stern warning from the UK government, which says it is prepared to respond with military options if the vessel alters its course further south.
The Yantar, operated by Russia's Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research (GUGI), is no ordinary ship. Designed for intelligence gathering and mapping of undersea cables, it has long been a source of concern for Western nations. According to BBC, the vessel was north of Scotland when it entered UK waters for the second time this year, having previously been spotted in January. The UK government dispatched a Royal Navy frigate and RAF Poseidon P-8 planes to monitor the Yantar's every move, a deployment confirmed by Healey in a Downing Street briefing.
"This is a vessel designed for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables. We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 planes to monitor and track this vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots," Healey stated, as reported by Newsweek. He described the Russian action as "deeply dangerous," emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the incident. "This is the first time we've had this action from Yantar directed against the British RAF. We take it extremely seriously," he added, according to Reuters.
The use of lasers to disrupt or endanger pilots is not just provocative—it’s potentially hazardous. Healey did not mince words: "Anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous." The Defence Secretary also announced a change in the Royal Navy's rules of engagement, allowing British forces to follow the Yantar more closely when it is in the UK's wider waters. This adjustment, he said, was necessary to ensure a robust response to the evolving threat.
Western intelligence agencies have long suspected that the Yantar's missions in European waters go beyond innocent research. While Russia officially describes the vessel as an oceanic research ship, Western analysts, including Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, believe its true purpose is to map and potentially sabotage critical undersea infrastructure, such as internet cables and pipelines. Braw told BBC Radio 4 that the Yantar's use of lasers was "an escalation for sure," adding, "Essentially, you do it to impede the pilots from doing their work. We don't know exactly how strong the lasers were, but even if they didn't blind the pilots, it was provocative."
The UK is not alone in its concerns. NATO has recently reported a series of provocations by Russia, which include not only naval incidents but also sabotage and airspace violations targeting other alliance members. In the same timeframe as the Yantar incident, Poland accused Russian secret services of sabotaging a critical rail line used to supply aid to Ukraine, while Romania said a Russian drone violated its airspace during an attack on western Ukraine. Both incidents have been denied by the Kremlin, which maintains that it has no interest in escalating tensions with NATO.
The Russian Embassy in London responded to the UK's accusations with a statement rejecting any hostile intent. "Our country's actions do not affect the interests of the United Kingdom and are not aimed at undermining its security. We are not interested in British underwater communications," the statement said. The embassy further urged London to "refrain from destructive steps that exacerbate the crisis phenomena on the European continent."
Despite such denials, British officials remain wary. Labour MP Matt Western, chair of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, commented, "Today's news demonstrates once again that Russia presents a genuine and immediate threat to the UK's security." He praised the Defence Secretary's decisive response but suggested that "more assertive retaliation may be required."
The incident also comes amid ongoing debates about the UK's preparedness for military threats and its reliance on US defence resources. A parliamentary committee recently criticized the Ministry of Defence for not being adequately prepared to defend the UK and its overseas territories in the event of a military attack, urging Britain and its European allies to build up their own capabilities in anticipation of a potential US withdrawal. Healey acknowledged the committee's concerns, noting that while the UK government "takes a different view" regarding America's commitment to NATO, there is agreement on the need to "pick up the pace of our commitment."
Meanwhile, the UK is engaged in delicate negotiations with the European Union over participation in a new €150 billion EU defence loan scheme, set to launch next year. The scheme is intended to bolster European defence industries, and the Labour government is eager for British companies to join the first round of bids. However, talks have reportedly stalled over the size of the entry fee the UK would be required to pay, with Healey insisting that any contribution must represent "good value for money for our taxpayers and our industry."
As for the Yantar, its current location remains uncertain. The ship has not broadcast its position since November 2, with its last known whereabouts being in the Baltic Sea, north of Latvia, according to Marine Traffic. On November 6, the Dutch Navy reported escorting the Yantar out of the North Sea after it operated near Dutch territorial waters. While flight tracking websites have shown RAF Poseidon P-8 surveillance planes circling off the Scottish coast, it is not clear whether they are still monitoring the Russian vessel.
The episode is a stark reminder of the shifting security landscape in Europe. As Healey put it in his Downing Street speech, "Our world is changing. It is less predictable. It is more dangerous." The UK, he said, is prepared to defend its interests, with "military options ready should the Yantar change course." For now, the eyes of both NATO and the Kremlin remain fixed on the cold waters north of Scotland, where the next move could have far-reaching consequences.
