UK warns of ‘new era of threat’ after Russian spy ship enters British waters, shines lasers at military pilots – Firstpost

A Russian spy ship has entered British waters and shined a laser at military pilots, the Defense Secretary has said, as he warned that Britain faces a “new age threat” from hostile nations.

A Russian spy ship has flown into British waters and directed a laser at British military pilots, the Defense Secretary said on Wednesday, warning that Britain has entered “a new era of threat” from adversary countries.

John Healy said YantarA Russian surveillance ship had repeatedly come in and out of Britain’s exclusive economic zone in recent weeks – A pattern was also seen earlier this year.

However, this time, Russian crew members reportedly used lasers against British pilots tracking the ship, with UK officials calling the action a notable escalation.

Healey told reporters in London that it was the second time a ship had “entered” British waters in 2024, following a previous incident in January.

“The Yantar “It is on the edge of UK waters, north of Scotland, which has entered UK-wide waters over the past few weeks,” he said during a press conference in Downing Street.

The UK military “deployed Royal Navy frigates and Royal Air Force aircraft to monitor and track every movement of this ship, during which Yantar They directed lasers at our pilots.”

He described the use of lasers as “extremely dangerous” and issued a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We see you. We know what you’re doing. If Yantar “Travel south this week, we’re ready.”

Healy said Yantar It was “part of a Russian fleet designed to threaten our undersea infrastructure and those of our allies”.

Britain and NATO allies have expressed growing concern about the risk Moscow poses to offshore infrastructure after it sabotaged several undersea telecommunications and power cables in recent months.

Experts and politicians have accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against the West as the two sides face off over Ukraine.

with inputs from agencies