UK spots Russian intelligence ship in English Channel
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The Royal Navy is tracking a Russian reconnaissance ship in the English Channel. To protect the country's maritime infrastructure, the UK will also provide aircraft to the new NATO unit, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense and the UK government website.
"We see you, we know what you're doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country," emphasized the Ministry of Defense.
The Royal Navy is tracking the Russian spy ship in the English Channel, weeks after it was caught loitering near critical underwater infrastructure.
It was intercepted after a Royal Navy submarine surfaced near the Russian Yantar vessel to warn that it had been secretly monitoring every movement.
In response to the Royal Navy's warning, Yantar left British waters in the Mediterranean but returned this week, passing through the English Channel, flanked by HMS Somerset.
Given the potential threats, the government emphasized that the UK will provide maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to strengthen NATO's response to damage to submarines in the Baltic Sea.
It is known that NATO will receive P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft for Baltic Sentry operations, announced after the damage to the Estlink2 underwater cable between Estonia and Finland.
The government emphasized that, in response to this incident, the UK Prime Minister held talks with Estonian and Finnish counterparts, as the UK activated Nordic Warden — a new advanced artificial intelligence system designed to monitor the Russian shadow fleet and protect underwater infrastructure.
Back in October of last year, a Russian vessel carrying dangerous cargo entered the English Channel. It was dubbed a floating bomb at the time.
More details on the incident can be found in the RBC-Ukraine material.
