This thermal image shows the Russian spy ship Yantar, which has been loitering near critical undersea cables just outside British territorial waters (Picture: MOD)

Navy

In our sights: UK boosts its protection as Russian maritime threats rise 30% in two years

The UK is stepping up its response to a rise in Russian military activity around key maritime routes and undersea infrastructure – the same cables and pipelines that keep Britain connected.

In the past two weeks, Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Severn intercepted Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya as they moved through the Dover Strait and into the English Channel, part of what the MOD calls a "round-the-clock shadowing operation".

Severn later handed over to a Nato ally off Brittany, but remained ready to respond if anything escalated.

Commander Grant Dalgleish, HMS Severn's Commanding Officer, said: "This tasking shows the value of our patrol ships and reinforces the Royal Navy's close liaison with our Nato allies in safeguarding the British people and protecting the internationally recognised waterways.

"I'm immensely proud of the way the ship's company reacted to this activation, especially coming so quickly after a demanding period of regeneration and operational training."

Defence Secretary John Healey announced a change to the rules of engagement regarding Russia after crew aboard the spy ship Yantar targeted RAF pilots with lasers

According to the MOD, the incidents of Russian vessels threatening UK waters have increased by 30% in the last two years.

This week, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the Russian spy ship Yantar – known for mapping undersea cables – was operating just beyond UK territorial waters off Scotland.

He issued a direct message to the Kremlin: "We see you. We know what you are doing. And we are ready."

Now there is fresh detail from the Ministry of Defence, which says as Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset shadowed the vessel, its crew and nearby civilian ships reported GPS jamming.

RAF P-8 surveillance pilots tracking Yantar were also hit by laser glare, which the MOD described as a reckless and dangerous act, although Somerset's combat capabilities weren't affected.

In response, the UK has deployed three RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Iceland – the largest overseas deployment of the fleet to date – to patrol the North Atlantic and Arctic alongside US and Canadian partners.

120 Squadron recently deployed its P-8A Poseidons to Iceland under the Nato mission

Based at RAF Lossiemouth, the squadron is the RAF's first operator of the maritime patrol aircraft

With advanced radar and weapon systems, it is perfectly suited to the squadron's mission of protecting the UK's maritime interests

Its key roles include providing enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities, maritime surveillance, and search and rescue operations

Iceland, famous for the dazzling Northern Lights, holds a geo-strategic position within Nato

A Poseidon MRA1 crew prepares for take-off

Donning Maverick-style shades, an RAF aviator is captured in the midst of an operational sortie

The cockpit being treated to a display of the Northern Lights during its decent into Keflavik Air Base

Poseidon crews worked closely with their Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) counterparts during the deployment

RAF and RCAF personnel walk towards the Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) before an operational sortie — RAF and RCAF personnel walk towards the Poseidon P-8A before an operational sortie (Picture: MOD)

Wing Commander Higgins, Officer Commanding 120 Squadron, said: "This deployment to Iceland highlights the enduring importance of the North Atlantic and Arctic to the security of the alliance.

"Operating the P-8A Poseidon, we continue that legacy by contributing to Nato's collective defence and ensuring the security of this strategically critical region."

These operations follow a series of recent interactions with Russian naval units:

HMS Duncan tracking destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov
HMS Iron Duke monitoring Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk
A 12-hour surveillance mission by RAF Rivet Joint and P-8 aircraft along Russia's border and into the Black Sea

In a historic first for the alliance, HMS Duncan shadowed the Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov for more than 48 hours while under Nato command (Picture: Royal Navy)

The increase in military activity comes alongside new UK sanctions on Media Land, a Russian cybercrime group linked to attacks on UK companies.

The MOD's strategy appears increasingly clear: maintain a strong physical presence at sea and call out Russian activity publicly – especially anything affecting the UK's undersea infrastructure, which carries the majority of Britain's banking, communications and data traffic.