LONDON (AP) — The U.K.'s Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that a British patrol ship, HMS Severn, successfully intercepted a Russian corvette, RFN Stoikiy, and a tanker named Yelnya after monitoring their movements through the English Channel. This interception highlights a noticeable increase in Russian naval activity within U.K. waters, which has reportedly surged by 30% over the past two years.
Following the interception, HMS Severn transferred its monitoring responsibilities to an unnamed NATO ally near the coast of Brittany. In response to these developments, the U.K. has also deployed three Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Iceland, enhancing NATO's collective efforts to oversee Russian naval operations in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.
This increase in naval encounters comes shortly after Defense Secretary John Healey disclosed to the media that a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, had engaged in unsafe behavior by directing lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft that were tracking its operations off the Scottish coast. Healey condemned the Yantar’s conduct as "reckless and dangerous," asserting that the U.K. is prepared to counter any incursions into its territorial waters.
In a pointed message directed towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin, Healey emphasized, “We see you. We know what you’re doing,” reinforcing the U.K.'s commitment to national security amid rising tensions with Russia.
The Russian Embassy in London swiftly responded to Healey’s remarks, accusing the British government of creating a climate of "militaristic hysteria." The embassy claimed that Moscow has no intentions of compromising the security of the United Kingdom.
Healey's statements come in the context of advocating for increased defense expenditure, as the U.K. government prepares to unveil its new budget within a week. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced intentions for significant increases in military spending in response to perceived threats from Russia, China, and Iran. However, the government is grappling with complex financial decisions, including potential tax increases and spending cuts, in order to mitigate a multi-billion-pound budget shortfall.
