UK sends 'we see you' message to Putin as Royal Navy tracks Russian 'spy ship'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA Royal Navy submarine has been used to warn off one of Vladimir Putin’s spy ships operating around UK waters, the government has confirmed.
Defence secretary John Healey gave details about the activities of the Yantar, which he said the Russians “used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure”.
In a message to Russian president Mr Putin, Mr Healey warned : “We see you, we know what you are doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.” Mr Healey told MPs the spy ship was located in the North Sea having passed through British waters in recent days.
The Royal Navy ships HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne have been shadowing the vessel. It is the second time the Yantar has entered UK waters in recent months, Mr Healey said, telling MPs the ship was "also closely watched and detected loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure" in November.
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