British submarine forces Russian ‘spy ship’ to leave UK waters in intense standoff over vital undersea cables

The Defense Secretary disclosed that a Russian spy vessel hastily left UK waters after a Royal Navy submarine emerged next to it in a display of strength.

John Healey told MPs he approved a mission targeting the Yantar, saying it was ‘loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure’ at the time.

The vessel scarpered to the Mediterranean, followed by surface vessels and RAF aircraft, after being spooked by the sub in the North Sea in November.

But it is currently making the return journey through the English Channel, shadowed again by Navy warships, the Commons was told.

This event took place near Widemouth Bay along the northern coast of Cornwall. An RAF maritime patrol plane, along with HMS Cattistock, HMS Tyne, and RFA Proteus, closely monitored the ship’s movements.

After the submarine crew issued a ‘friendly’ warning, which included a ‘good morning’ greeting, the Yantar’s crew eventually heeded and steered the ship towards the Mediterranean.

The Mail understands a second Royal Navy submarine may have then secretly followed the Yantar on that jouney south.

It is the latest incident in which Russian vessels have been accused of shady behaviour. 

Almost 200 RN sailors were recalled on Christmas Day so they could be deployed to shadow Russian warships spotted in the North Sea and English Channel.

Frigate HMS Somerset set sail on Friday December 27, to keep a watch on the corvette RFS Soobrazitelny and two support vessels, MV Sparta II and MV General Skobelev for almost 500 miles.

Mr Healey told MPs today: ‘I also wanted President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you’re doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.’ 

‘It was detected loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure. To deter any potential threat, I took measured steps then as part of a clear 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 wanted 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.’

He added: ‘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 miles off the British coast on Monday. 

‘For the last two days the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the vessel every minute through our waters.’

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said he supported the Government’s openness over how it was tackling the Russian naval threat.

Mr Cartlidge said the Conservative opposition stood ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Labour over their approach.

He said: ‘We welcome that transparency because it is critical for our war readiness … that as far as we are able, and without compromising our national security and operational security, we tell the British public the truth about the serious nature of the Russian threat and what that will inevitably mean for public expenditure on defence.

‘I specifically welcome the change to the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement. This sends a powerful signal to Putin that we will not be intimidated and that if his aim is to keep pushing the boundaries of malign activity in our waters, and those proximate to us, we will respond.’

Speaking about this week’s incident, HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Matthew Teare, said: ‘The Royal Navy is always there when the nation needs, protecting our home and the waters that surround it.

‘This is routine business for HMS Somerset’s ship’s company and the Royal Navy, but it is nonetheless vital work for the UK’s security and I am proud of the professionalism of my crew.’

Somerset covertly launched her Merlin helicopter, which used its powerful sensors to locate the Russian ship as it made its way north towards the English Channel.

The Type 23 frigate closed in on Yantar’s location and intercepted it in the entrance to the Channel – south of the traffic separation scheme at Ushant, near France.

The Plymouth-based warship took over monitoring duties from NATO allies after they shadowed Yantar in waters close to France.

Somerset used her cutting-edge radars and sensors to report on every move during the operation, as she maintained a close distance to Yantar through the Channel and the Strait of Dover.

In recent months, the 354ft-long Yantar has been operating in northern European waters as part of a surge of Russian maritime activity.

The vessel entered service in 2015 as part of the Russian Navy’s top secret Underwater Research Directorate. She belongs to the Northern fleet and her home port is Severomorsk.

Yantar, which as a displacement of 5,736 tons, has been equipped with surveillance and interception equipment and can operate submersible drones capable of reaching the Atlantic Ocean floor.

Powered by a diesel-electric engine and with a top speed of 15 knots. Yantar has a complement of 60 sailors – many of them trained in espionage and electronic warfare.

The Mail understands Yantar may have been surveying the Cornish coastline. A large number of transatlantic cables make landfall in Widemouth Bay, a popular spot for swimmers and surfers.

The beach is also six miles from a GCHQ listening station. The facility, known for its giant white satellite dishes, celebrated its 50th year of operation in 2024.

According to official government websites, teams at GCHQ Bude ‘engage in the full breadth of GCHQ’s operational work, but with a key focus on maintaining and managing the collection of data’.

Much of this data, and much of this country’s internet traffic flows through the cables, which explains its interest to the Russians.

The UK and its NATO allies are increasingly concerned about the risk Russia poses to offshore cables and pipelines.

Increasing fears of Kremlin sabotage triggered a military response yesterday as the Ministry of Defence announced a P-8 Poseidon and a Rivet Joint spy planes will join the new Baltic Sentry NATO deployment to protect critical undersea infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Proteus has been deployed to monitor offshore infrastructure.