"As I speak, a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, is on the edge of UK waters, north of Scotland, having entered the UK's wider waters over the last few weeks. This is a vessel designed for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables. We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 planes to monitor and track this vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots."
"So my message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you, we know what you're doing, but if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready. He added: Anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous. This is the first time we've had this action from Yantar directed against the British RAF we take it extremely seriously."
The Yantar surveillance ship crossed into and out of the UK's exclusive economic zone multiple times in recent weeks. Russian sailors directed lasers at British military pilots who were monitoring the vessel, marking a significant escalation. The Yantar is designed to gather intelligence and map undersea cables. A Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 planes were deployed to monitor and track the ship. The laser illumination endangered pilots and prompted changes to the navy's rules of engagement. The Yantar's activity forms part of a pattern of Russian incursions into NATO-controlled areas, including recent drone flights over Poland and Belgium.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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