By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - A Russian intelligence-gathering vessel has been monitored just outside UK territorial waters, British Defense Secretary John Healey said, warning Moscow that Britain “is ready” for any further escalation.
Speaking at Downing Street on Wednesday, John Healey said: “A Russian spy ship, the Yantar, is on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland, having entered the UK's wider waters over the last few weeks."
“This is a vessel designed for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables," he added.
“We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF (Royal Air Force) planes to monitor and track this vessel's every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots,” he continued.
“That Russian action is deeply dangerous, and this is the second time this year that this ship, the Yantar, has deployed to UK waters. So my message to Russia and to (President Vladimir) Putin is this: we see you, we know what you're doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready,” he warned.