Warning Russian spy ship 'flexing its muscles' across Europe

Fresh concerns over undersea security have been raised after new details emerged about the Russian spy vessel Yantar allegedly operating near critical infrastructure close to the UK and Ireland.

According to an investigation by the Financial Times, supported by satellite radar from the European Space Agency, the Yantar appeared to linger in the Irish Sea in November last year. Analysts believe its position matched the location of three major data cables linking Ireland and the UK, sparking fears about potential surveillance or sabotage attempts.

The ship, which departed Russia’s Kola Peninsula on a three-month voyage around Europe, also sailed past Norway, through the English Channel, and into the Mediterranean before heading toward the Suez Canal. During the Irish Sea incident, reports suggest the vessel tried to conceal its movements, but radar imagery and signals from tracking systems indicated it was stationary for hours.

Defence Secretary John Healey later confirmed that a Royal Navy attack submarine had been ordered to surface near the vessel as a rare warning. He added that the Yantar eventually left “without further loitering.”

Experts warn Ireland’s waters remain a “blind spot” in regional defence, as the country has only a minimal military presence and relies heavily on the UK and the US for security. Maritime expert Sidharth Kaushal from the RUSI think tank noted that this creates vulnerabilities for vital communication links.

The Yantar was also detected near two undersea cables off Norway’s coast, highlighting a wider pattern of suspected Russian interest in Europe’s underwater infrastructure. NATO has since launched a mission to step up protection of energy pipelines, power links, and data cables after recent sabotage attempts in the Baltic Sea.

A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson stressed that Britain and its allies are “sharply focused” on countering Russia’s maritime threats:

“Alongside our NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force partners, we are strengthening our response to ensure Russian ships cannot operate in secrecy near the UK or NATO territory.”

This latest revelation underscores growing tensions between Russia and the West and the increasing importance of safeguarding the world’s hidden but vital undersea networks.