The Russian spy ship Yantar has been detected near the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, prompting close monitoring by British authorities.
Surveilling Underwater Infrastructure
The vessel, known for surveilling underwater infrastructure, is under observation by a P-8A aircraft, according to reports from the Express.
The 107-meter (351-foot) Yantar entered British territorial waters after passing through the English Channel.
Prior to this, it was observed off the coast of Norway near the Andøya Space Port, where U.S. and Norwegian forces were conducting joint exercises involving the USS Harry S. Truman.
The Royal Navy confirmed the presence of the Russian ship and is actively tracking its movements, according to WP.
"The UK Armed Forces routinely monitor territorial and adjacent waters to ensure compliance with maritime law, prevent hostile activities, and protect national interests," stated a Royal Navy spokesperson.
Vulnerable Infrastructure
Commissioned in 2015, the Yantar is described by Western intelligence as a spy ship. It frequently operates near key undersea telecommunications routes and infrastructure.
As a mothership for specialized submersibles, it can function at depths of up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet), granting it access to the vast network of global communication cables.
The United States has recently observed increased Russian naval activity around critical submarine cables.
These cables facilitate the majority of global digital communications and financial transactions, valued at over $10 trillion daily.
Hundreds of submarine cables traverse the world’s oceans, with the Atlantic and North Sea routes particularly exposed.
Despite their importance, this infrastructure is largely unprotected, and its exact locations are publicly available, making it a potential target for hostile activities.
