Russian Spy Ship Entered British Waters Twice, UK’s Healey Says

John Healeydefence Secretary

Today, I want to confirm I authorised a Royal Navy submarine – strictly as a deterrent measure – to surface close to Yantar to make clear we had been covertly monitoring its every move

Mr Healey said

John Healeydefence Secretary

Russia remains the most pressing and immediate threat to Britain

Mr Healey added

The Royal Navy is always there when the nation needs, protecting our home and the waters that surround it

Speaking about this week’s incident, HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Matthew Teare, said

It happens regularly that a Russian vessel passes through and there is always close surveillance that is put in place,

the official added

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,

he told lawmakers

It was detected loitering over U.K. critical undersea infrastructure,

the defense minister said

We see you. We know what you’re doing,

he said before MPs

Let me be clear, this is a Russian spy ship used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure

He added

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

He said