Russian spy ship on edge of Scotland as defence secretary tells Putin 'we are ready'

The defence secretary has confirmed a Russian spy ship has been operating on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland.

John Healey said the Yantar had directed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities.

He added that the ship is operating as part of a programme which “can undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict”.

Speaking at a Westminster press conference, Healey said: “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.”

Giving more details on the vessel, Healey said: “On the Yantar, this is the second time in a year that it’s entered UK waters.

“It is part of a Russian fleet designed to put and hold our undersea infrastructure and those of our allies at risk.

“It isn’t just a naval operation. It’s part of a Russian programme driven by what they call the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research, or GUGI, and this is designed to have capabilities which can undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict.

“That is why we’ve been determined, whenever the Yantar comes into British wider waters, we track it, we deter it and we say to Putin we are ready, and we do that alongside allies.

“You saw this last year in the way that Britain led the response to attacks on critical infrastructure with other Baltic and Nordic nations, and then Nato stepped in as well with their operation.

“So, it’s a demonstration, if you like, of a British readiness to act, a British capability to act, because, make no mistake, we will not tolerate a threat to the British people’s essential connections under water.”