U.K. says Russian spy ship operating off Scottish coast aimed laser at RAF planes

The British navy is tracking a suspected Russian spy ship operating off the coast of Scotland that is believed to be mapping the country’s network of undersea cables used to transmit data, voice communications and electricity.

On Wednesday, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said the spy ship Yantar is operating north of Scotland on the edge of British territorial waters. It’s the second time this year that the Russian vessel has operated so close.

“My message to Russia and to [President Vladimir] Putin is this: ’We see you. We know what you’re doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready,’” Mr. Healey said Wednesday during a press conference.

British officials deployed a Royal Navy frigate and Royal Air Force planes to track the vessel’s movement. Mr. Healey said the ship directed lasers at the RAF pilots during its monitoring mission.

“That Russian action is deeply dangerous,” Mr. Healey said.

British officials stated that the Yantar is part of the Russian navy and is capable of conducting underwater sabotage missions during a conflict, in addition to its peacetime surveillance operations.

“This is a stark reminder that we are in a new era of threat,” Mr. Healey said. “Our world is changing. It is less predictable, and it is more dangerous.”