Russian Spy Ship ‘Yantar’ Spotted in UK Waters, Raising Military Concerns

UK Defense Minister John Healey confirmed on January 22 an incident involving the Russian ship Yantar, which was spotted in UK territorial waters near the English Channel. This marks the second such occurrence, with a previous sighting off the UK coast in November 2024, said Healey. To ensure national security, the ship was escorted by two British naval vessels and a submarine.

Why so much attention on Yantar? Russia claims that Yantar is a research vessel designed to assist in deep-sea rescue missions. For instance, it participated in the search for an Argentine submarine that sank in 2017, though the wreck was ultimately located by a private American company. However, military officials from the US, UK, and other nations believe Yantar is a spy ship, using its "research" capabilities as a cover for intelligence gathering and potential sabotage.

What Can Yantar Do?

Launched in 2014 and built in Kaliningrad, Yantar is an oceanographic research vessel, as described by Russia. It is 108 meters long, with a crew of up to 60 personnel, and joined the Russian Navy in 2015.

The ship is notable for its two deep-sea submersibles, Rus and Consul. These submarines can dive to depths of up to 6,180 meters (over 20,000 feet) and accommodate three crew members. 

Yantar’s operational history includes a 2016 mission off the Syrian coast, where the submersibles reportedly recovered sensitive equipment from two Russian aircraft—Su-33 and MiG-29—that had crashed into the Mediterranean Sea during military operations.

Why Is Yantar Considered a Spy Ship?

From the outset of its operations, Yantar has drawn scrutiny from global military forces, which view it less as a research vessel and more as a platform for intelligence and sabotage. Several incidents support this assessment:

• Syria and Cyprus (2016): Yantar was observed lingering near the seabed route of the Turkish communication cable Turcyos-2. Its slow, drifting movements suggested the deployment of underwater submersibles.

• Kings Bay, USA (2015): The ship was detected near the US Navy's Kings Bay base, home to six submarines armed with Trident ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. US officials suspect Yantar was gathering intelligence on the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN) underwater sensors.

• New London, Connecticut (2017): Yantar was spotted near a US naval base, 30 miles (48 km) from the city.

US officials are convinced that Yantar is equipped to cut undersea cables. Moreover, the ship reportedly possesses tools for inspecting, tampering with, and installing surveillance equipment on such cables. Even Russia's state-owned Parliamentary Newspaper described Yantar as outfitted with devices for deep-sea monitoring and accessing classified communication cables.

Military analysts suggest two possible objectives for Yantar's presence near the UK: reconnaissance of military installations and exploration of undersea communications for potential sabotage or mapping. The ship’s activities are especially concerning following recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, where energy cables, communication lines, and gas pipelines suffered unexplained damage over the past year. The UK’s vast maritime infrastructure could become a target for surveillance or attacks, making Yantar’s movements a significant security threat.