• UK Defence Secretary John Healey warns of military options in response to Russian spy ship Yantar's actions.
• The Yantar directed lasers at RAF pilots monitoring its activities, marking a significant escalation.
• Healey emphasizes the need to protect undersea infrastructure and improve defense readiness.

Britain has indicated its readiness to deploy “military options” as a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, operates on the edge of UK waters. This warning follows incidents where the Yantar has directed lasers at RAF pilots tasked with monitoring its activities. Defence Secretary John Healey described these actions as "deeply dangerous," emphasizing that the UK is prepared to respond depending on the Yantar's movements, according to Reuters and BBC.

In a press briefing, Healey confirmed that the Yantar, designed for intelligence gathering and mapping of undersea cables, has entered UK waters for the second time this year. He warned, “If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready,” and noted that operations to track the vessel are ongoing with the Navy's increased engagement protocols. He stated, “We have military options ready should the Yantar change course,” reflecting increasing concerns about the ship's potential to disrupt vital infrastructure, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.

The Defence Secretary outlined that the Yantar's operations are part of a broader Russian strategy aimed at compromising the undersea infrastructure of the UK and its allies. He reiterated the importance of readiness against such incursions, stating, “This is the first time we’ve had this action from Yantar directed against the British RAF," emphasizing that Britain's military is prepared to take necessary actions in coordination with NATO allies. This comes as the UK government faces criticism regarding its defense readiness in light of ongoing tensions with Russia, noted in reports from Al Jazeera and BBC.

In response to the UK's warnings, the Russian embassy in London dismissed the claims, accusing the UK of “Russophobic” behavior and asserting that their operations do not threaten British security. Healey's statements come amid broader discussions about enhancing Britain's defense capabilities, including a planned increase in defense spending and new military infrastructure initiatives intended to bolster the UK's national security amidst evolving threats, as stated by Al Jazeera.