Russian Spy Ship Escorted Out of Irish Sea After Approaching Critical Infrastructure

A Russian intelligence vessel, the Yantar, was escorted out of Irish waters by the Irish Defense Forces on Friday after it was detected operating near critical undersea cables that connect Ireland and the UK.

According to The Guardian, these cables are essential for global internet traffic, linking data centers of major tech companies such as Google and Microsoft. The Yantar, officially classified as an oceanographic research vessel, was seen in the Irish Sea on Thursday, raising security concerns due to its proximity to energy and communication infrastructure.

The vessel was first spotted east of Dublin and southwest of the Isle of Man, with its movements initially monitored by Norwegian, US, French, and British naval and air forces. On Thursday, it was accompanied by the Russian warship Admiral Golovko through the English Channel, but later separated to enter the Irish Sea, where it came under surveillance by the Royal Navy and Irish Defense Forces.

The Yantar’s presence in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has sparked fears of espionage, as it has previously been reported operating drones and submersibles for underwater reconnaissance.

Experts speculate that its mission may involve intelligence gathering rather than sabotage, though concerns remain over potential threats to undersea cables, especially after past incidents of suspected sabotage, such as the Baltic gas pipeline damage.

In 2022, Russian ships were observed repeatedly moving over the main fiber optic internet cable connecting Svalbard and mainland Norway. Later, photos from a police investigation revealed the extent of the damage caused.

The Irish Defense Forces' ship LÉ James Joyce escorted the Yantar out of the EEZ at approximately 3 am on Friday, with the Irish Air Corps continuing to track its movements. The operation was part of a broader effort involving the British and French navies to monitor the Russian vessel, which had earlier been tracked by a British submarine hunter in the North Sea.

Edward Burke, a military history expert at University College Dublin, called the incident a “wake-up call” for Ireland, emphasizing the need for stronger naval capabilities and enhanced maritime security partnerships in Europe.

The Yantar’s movements have drawn parallels to Russia’s broader strategy of probing the defenses of Western Europe, with some experts warning that such activities could be part of a longer-term effort to map vulnerable energy and communication infrastructure for potential future threats.