Article reports that the United Kingdom has warned Russia it is ready to respond to any incursion after the Russian spy ship Yantar was detected near UK waters north of Scotland. British Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the Russian vessel had directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities. He delivered a speech in London, saying: "My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you’re doing. And if the Yantar troubles UK waters this week, we are ready." The Russian embassy issued a statement accusing the British government of being "Russo-phobic" and "whipping up militaristic hysteria," calling the accusations absurd and claiming Moscow has no intention of threatening UK security.

Healey used the warning to justify increased defense spending as he prepared to unveil a new budget. The government had already committed 1.5 billion pounds (about $2 billion) in June to build a new munitions factory in Wales, relocating some sites from Scotland, with the aim of creating at least 1,000 jobs and ensuring a constant supply of explosives, propellants and powder. Healey argued that the UK must adapt to "a new era of hard power," citing conflicts in the Middle East, destabilization in Africa, North Korean, Iranian and Pakistani support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and Chinese spies targeting universities and companies in the UK and elsewhere.

British officials said Yantar is a Russian Navy vessel designed for undersea surveillance, capable of espionage and sabotage during war. UK and allied assets track the ship and work to deter its operations when it approaches British territorial waters. Officials indicated the ship is part of a Russian effort to map and potentially hold at risk undersea infrastructure and cables under the Baltic Sea and elsewhere, referencing earlier suspected Russian activities against pipelines and communications.

The article notes that this is not the first time Yantar has probed Britain’s defences. Healey said that after a prior visit to UK waters, the vessel left for the Mediterranean. When Yantar later sailed up the English Channel in January, it was followed by the Royal Navy vessel HMS Somerset, assigned to homeland defence. Healey said defense spending will rise to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2030, in line with some NATO allies. Britain already spends about 2.3% of GDP on defence and he highlighted a 15% increase in infrastructure projects over the last year. He framed the current situation as a "new era of threat" requiring stronger alliances and firm diplomacy, but emphasized that Britain "must step up, and we are."

Article reports that the United Kingdom has warned Russia it is ready to respond to any incursion after the Russian spy ship Yantar was detected near UK waters north of Scotland. British Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the Russian vessel had directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities. He delivered a speech in London, saying: "My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you’re doing. And if the Yantar troubles UK waters this week, we are ready." The Russian embassy issued a statement accusing the British government of being "Russo-phobic" and "whipping up militaristic hysteria," calling the accusations absurd and claiming Moscow has no intention of threatening UK security.

Healey used the warning to justify increased defense spending as he prepared to unveil a new budget. The government had already committed 1.5 billion pounds (about $2 billion) in June to build a new munitions factory in Wales, relocating some sites from Scotland, with the aim of creating at least 1,000 jobs and ensuring a constant supply of explosives, propellants and powder. Healey argued that the UK must adapt to "a new era of hard power," citing conflicts in the Middle East, destabilization in Africa, North Korean, Iranian and Pakistani support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and Chinese spies targeting universities and companies in the UK and elsewhere.

British officials said Yantar is a Russian Navy vessel designed for undersea surveillance, capable of espionage and sabotage during war. UK and allied assets track the ship and work to deter its operations when it approaches British territorial waters. Officials indicated the ship is part of a Russian effort to map and potentially hold at risk undersea infrastructure and cables under the Baltic Sea and elsewhere, referencing earlier suspected Russian activities against pipelines and communications.

The article notes that this is not the first time Yantar has probed Britain’s defences. Healey said that after a prior visit to UK waters, the vessel left for the Mediterranean. When Yantar later sailed up the English Channel in January, it was followed by the Royal Navy vessel HMS Somerset, assigned to homeland defence. Healey said defense spending will rise to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2030, in line with some NATO allies. Britain already spends about 2.3% of GDP on defence and he highlighted a 15% increase in infrastructure projects over the last year. He framed the current situation as a "new era of threat" requiring stronger alliances and firm diplomacy, but emphasized that Britain "must step up, and we are."