The Royal Navy has revealed a significant escalation in Russian naval activity close to the British Isles, with a submarine deployed to escort a spy ship tasked with mapping critical undersea infrastructure.
Submarine Shadows Spy Ship in Irish Sea
Newly declassified imagery from the Ministry of Defence shows a Russian submarine operating alongside the Yantar, a vessel officially classed as a research ship but widely understood to be an intelligence-gathering platform. The incident occurred in the Irish Sea in November of last year, where the Yantar was reportedly surveying the gas pipeline linking Britain and Ireland.
In the photo, an anti-submarine Merlin Mk2 helicopter from the Royal Navy can be seen tracking the Yantar. A British submarine also surfaced nearby during the operation. It remains unclear if the Russian escort was one of Moscow's specialised sabotage submarines.
According to reports, this is believed to be one of several missions where Russian submarines have accompanied the Yantar into waters proximate to the UK.
Sharp Rise in Russian Incursions
The disclosure follows a stark warning from the head of the Royal Navy. First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Gwyn Jenkins stated earlier this month that the UK has witnessed a 30 per cent increase in Russian incursions into British waters over the past two years.
While spy ships like the Yantar provide a visible sign of this activity, Admiral Jenkins emphasised the greater concern lies beneath the surface. "It's what's going on under the waves that most concerns me," he warned.
He also highlighted that Russia is renewing investment in its elite deep-sea submarine division, known as GUGI. This Russian military agency, which leads underwater intelligence operations, was sanctioned by the UK in June of this year.
UK Government's Robust Response
The Ministry of Defence has issued a firm statement in response to the ongoing threat. A spokesperson said: "As the Defence Secretary has said, our message to President Putin is clear: We see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country."
The government outlined a multi-faceted strategy to counter the threat, which includes:
- The biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, aiming for 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and an ambition for 3%.
- The introduction of 900 new sanctions against Russian individuals, entities, and ships.
- Accelerated development of advanced anti-submarine technology.
Central to this effort is the Atlantic Bastion programme, which integrates autonomous vessels, AI-enabled sensors, warships, and aircraft to protect vital undersea cables and pipelines. This initiative is designed to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against Russia's evolving submarine capabilities.
