Royal Navy Warship HMS Somerset Monitors Russian Spy Ship Near UK Coast

Plymouth: So, there’s been some serious naval action lately. A Royal Navy warship, HMS Somerset, has been tracking a Russian spy ship called Yantar. This isn’t just a casual sail; it’s all about keeping an eye on what the Russians are up to in UK waters.

Yantar was spotted loitering around some important undersea cables a few weeks back. After a little trip to the Mediterranean, it’s back, and the Ministry of Defence is on high alert. HMS Somerset and another ship, HMS Tyne, are right there, making sure Yantar doesn’t get too nosy.

Defence Secretary John Healey even mentioned in Parliament that this ship is all about gathering intelligence. He made it clear that the UK is watching closely and won’t hesitate to take action if needed. He’s not messing around when it comes to national security.

In fact, he authorized a Royal Navy submarine to surface near Yantar last time it was around, just to show they were monitoring it. Now, with Yantar back, the rules of engagement have been adjusted so the Royal Navy can keep an even closer watch.

Yantar entered the UK’s exclusive economic zone, and for the last couple of days, HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne have been tracking it closely. So far, Yantar has been following international navigation rules, but the UK is ready to respond if things change.

The UK is stepping up its game against Russian threats, especially regarding offshore infrastructure. They’ve even rolled out a new AI system to monitor potential risks from ships. If anything suspicious pops up, alerts can be sent out to NATO or other partners.

It’s a tense situation, but the Royal Navy is on it, ensuring that the UK’s waters remain safe and secure.