Escalation off the British coast. A Russian Shadow Fleet ship blinds pilots of a British military jet. A British frigate gives chase.
November 20, 2025, 07:49November 20, 2025, 07:49
The British government has reacted with sharp words to a laser attack by a suspected Russian spy ship. Defense Secretary John Healey said on Wednesday: “My message to Russia and to Putin: We are watching you, we know what you are doing, and if the Yantar goes south this week, we are ready.
British Defense Secretary John Healey warns Putin.Image: keystone
The “Jantar” has been cruising off the coast of Scotland on the edge of British territorial waters for days. According to the British account, she is said to have tried to blind the pilots of a British Army Poseidon reconnaissance plane with laser beams as they tried to pursue an unknown submarine. “This Russian action is extremely dangerous and it is the second time this year that the ship Jantar has operated in British waters,” Healey said. According to him, a British frigate started pursuing the “Jantar”.
The “Jantar”, officially a research ship, is suspected of being used for espionage purposes. Healey explained to journalists that the ship was “designed for the collection of information and mapping of our submarine cables”. The ship “Boracay” was only noticed off the coast of Denmark in September.
Marine gives chase
At the same time, drones appeared over various Danish airports. The French Navy later intercepted the ship in the English Channel. Reason: Investigation due to “lack of proof of nationality”.
The “Jantar” entered British territory in January and, according to Healey, tried, among other things, to locate underwater cables. At that time, the British Nacvy set the warships “HMS Somerset” and “HMS Tyne” in motion to pursue.
Healey classified the situation as very critical. His warning: The world has already been “on the brink” of war several times this year.
(t online)
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