A Russian “spy ship” reportedly used jamming technology to try to interfere with a Royal Navy vessel’s global position systems. The Russian research vessel Yantar, operated by the GUGI unit, is believed to have tried to target the HMS Somerset during an incident last week, as the frigate had been sent to shadow it.
Defence Secretary John Healey said on November 19 that the Yantar had quietly made its way just on the edge of UK waters off the north of Scotland when it aimed lasers at the pilots of two RAF reconnaissance aircraft aiding HMS Somerset with the tracking of the Russian vessel. But now, a source has claimed the Russian vessel, widely described as a “spy ship” even by Mr Healey, also tried to interfer with the GPS of the British frigate.
An infrared image of the Russian military ship Yantar, operating off the coast of Scotland (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A defence source told The Times the incident caused just a “nuisance”.
The HMS Somerset – and most warships – use a combination of military-grade GPS and civilian-grade tracking systems. It is understood only the latter was impacted by the attempt.
The UK warship was able to carry on almost unaffected, with its military tracking having enhanced security.
Russia claims the Yantar is simply a deep-sea research unit, but many Western countries suspect that it is instead mapping infrastructure like fibre optic internet cables that run along the ocean floor.
The RAF and the Royal Navy have been tracking the Yantar (Image: Ministry of Defence)
Speaking on November 19, Mr Healey revealed Russians had, for the first time, attempted to blind RAF pilots using military-grade lasers, something he described a “deeply dangerous” provocation.
Mr Healey claimed the boat had been sitting on the edge of British waters for the last few weeks, hence why both the RAF and Royal Navy had been deployed to track its movements.
The defence secretary added: “That Russian action is deeply dangerous, and this is the second time this year that this ship, the Yantar has deployed to UK waters.
“We have military options ready should the Yantar change course.”
“My message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you, we know what you’re doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.”
The Royal Air Force Poseidon (P-8A) was targeted with lasers from the ship (Image: Cpl Adam Fletcher/RAF / SWNS)
Speaking on the nature of the Yantar he added: “It isn’t just a naval operation, it’s part of a Russian programme – that is designed to have capabilities which can undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict.”
“Make no mistake: we will not tolerate a threat to the British people’s essential connections underwater.”
The minister also revealed that in order to track the vessel more closely, he had officially changed the Navy’s rules of engagement and that a British submarine surfaced when it last was seen in our waters.
Much of the threat of the Yantar comes from a belief that it is able to launch submersibles able to cut undersea cables.
These cables transport 99% of internet traffic, making them vulnerable to attack and could do unimaginable damage to British telecoms infrastructure.
Yantar has also been spotted in the English Channel, the Mediterranean and off the coast of Brazil – all locations for these underwater cables.
Denying any wrongdoing, the Russian Embassy in Britain replied to Mr Healey’s saying his accusations £raise a smile” and none of Moscow’s actions were “aimed at undermining” the UK’s security.
