Key takeaways:

• The Royal Navy has been actively monitoring the Russian spy ship Yantar, which recently entered British waters.
• Defense Secretary John Healey issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, "We see you, we know what you're doing."
• The British government is enhancing its military capabilities to protect critical undersea infrastructure from potential sabotage.
• Concerns over undersea cables and infrastructure have escalated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• Yantar has been previously detected loitering near vital undersea cables, prompting a change in Royal Navy engagement protocols.

The U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey announced significant actions taken by the Royal Navy in response to the presence of a Russian spy ship, known as Yantar, detected in British waters. This vessel is believed to be involved in gathering intelligence and mapping vital underwater infrastructures, such as undersea cables, crucial for communication and energy supply. During a parliamentary session, Healey expressed a clear message to Russia, stating, "We see you, we know what you're doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country," emphasizing the seriousness of the threat posed by Russian maritime operations.

The Yantar vessel, which had been previously detected loitering over U.K. critical infrastructure in November, sparked concerns following a series of undersea cable outages attributed to potential sabotage linked to Russia and China. The U.K. has coordinated efforts with NATO allies to bolster surveillance and security, particularly focusing on the Baltic Sea, as undersea communication lines are integral for global connectivity. Healey assured Parliament that the U.K. is strengthening its defense measures, including deploying advanced AI systems to monitor these infrastructures.

According to Healey, following the latest detection, the Royal Navy dispatched two warships and changed engagement rules to permit closer monitoring of the Yantar. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel entered British waters approximately 45 miles off the coast earlier this week. The Royal Navy successfully tracked its movement, and a submarine was authorized to surface near the ship as a deterrent measure, making it clear that the U.K. was watching its movements closely.

The defense secretary pointed out that these developments align with a global uptick in concern over security risks associated with undersea cables, which have experienced several unexplained disruptions since 2022. He reaffirmed the commitment of the U.K. government to protect its national interests and infrastructures, stating, "Russian aggression will not be tolerated, at home or in Ukraine."

For further details, visit the full report on Al Jazeera.