Russian spy ship enters UK waters just days after one was spotted off US coast as WW3 fears escalate

A Russian spy ship has entered UK waters, the UK's Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, said.

The ship, called the Yantar, was first seen in the UK's wider waters a few weeks ago, but the vessel is now 'on the edge of UK waters' in North Scotland.

After the military discovered the ship, the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy were deployed to monitor it. When RAF pilots flew near the ship, the Yantar pointed lasers at them.

Healey gave a poignant speech from Downing Street yesterday (November 19) addressing the matter.

"As I speak, a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, is on the edge of UK waters, north of Scotland, having entered the UK’s wider waters over the last few weeks," he said, as per The Guardian. "This is a vessel designed for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables."

A Russian spy ship in being monitored in UK waters (Ministry of Defence)

Healey went on: "We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 planes to monitor and track this vessel’s every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots. That Russian action is deeply dangerous, and this is the second time this year that this ship, the Yantar, has deployed to UK waters."

Giving Russia a stern warning, he said: "We see you, we know what you’re doing, but if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready."

Addressing lasers being pointed at RAF pilots, Healey added: "Anything that impedes, disrupts or puts at risk pilots in charge of British military planes is deeply dangerous.

"This is the first time we’ve had this action from Yantar directed against the British RAF – we take it extremely seriously."

The news of the Yantar making its way into British waters comes just a day after the US Coast Guard revealed that a different spy ship, the Russian Federation Navy Auxiliary General Intelligence ship Kareliya, was seen near Hawaii.

Like the British military, the US armed forces have been monitoring the vessel.

Capt. Matthew Chong, chief of response, Coast Guard Oceania District, said: "The US Coast Guard routinely monitors maritime activity around the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific to ensure the safety and security of US waters.

Another Russian military spy ship was recently spotted near Hawaii (US Coast Guard)

"Working in concert with partners and allies, our crews monitor and respond to foreign military vessel activity near our territorial waters to protect our maritime borders and defend our sovereign interests."

The ships being located off the coasts of the UK and the US come after the two countries and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia in recent years following the invasion of Ukraine.

These sanctions have denied Russia access to at least $450 billion since February 2022, says the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).