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Russian Maritime Activity and UK Response

HMS Somerset (foreground) tracks the movements of suspected Russian spy ship Yantar, 20 January 2025 [Crown Copyright]

Defence Secretary John Healey MP addressed the House of Commons on Russian Maritime Activity and the UK’s response.

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Defence Secretary Oral Statement to Parliament, 22 January 2025: [extract] Mr Speaker, with permission, I wish to make a statement on the UK’s response to recent Russian maritime activity. I’m glad the House has been waiting for this, this morning.

Mr Speaker, the foreign vessel, Yantar, is currently in the North Sea, having passed through British waters. Let me be clear, this is a Russian spy ship used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure. Yantar entered the UK Exclusive Economic Zone about 45 nautical miles of[f] the British coast on Monday.

Library image of HMS Somerset [Crown Copyright / OGL: LPhot Eddie Damulira]

For the last two days, the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the vessel every minute through our waters. And I changed the Royal Navy’s Rules of Engagement so that our warships can get closer and better track the Yantar.

So far, the ship has complied with international rules of navigation. But Mr Speaker, this is the second time that Yantar has entered our waters in recent months. In November, the ship was also closely watched and detected loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure. To deter any potential threat, I took measured steps then as part of a clear and direct response to the Russian vessel. RAF maritime patrol aircraft, alongside HMS Cattistock, HMS Tyne, and RFA Proteus were deployed to shadow Yantar’s every movement.

Today, I also want to confirm to the House that I authorised a Royal Navy submarine – strictly as a deterrent measure – to surface close to Yantar to make clear that we had been covertly monitoring its every move. The ship then left UK waters – without further loitering – and sailed down to the Mediterranean.

As colleagues will understand, I won’t comment further for reasons of operational security. But I want to thank all the personnel involved for their dedication and their professionalism. And I also want President Putin to hear this message: We see you. We know what you are doing. And we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country. And with our NATO allies, we are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near the UK or near NATO territory.

Yantar has now passed through the Dover Strait and is in Dutch waters.

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