Russian surveillance ship directed lasers at pilots of RAF P-8s monitoring it

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said that a Russian intelligence ship it has been monitoring near UK waters has directed lasers at the pilots of the Royal Air Force (RAF) P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft that have intercepted it.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street on 19 November 2025, UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated, “A Russian spy shup, the Yantar, is on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland, having entered the UK’s wider waters over the last few weeks. This is a vessel designed for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables.

“We deployed a Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 planes to monitor and track this vessel’s every move, during which the Yantar directed lasers at our pilots,” Healey continued. “That Russian action is deeply dangerous, and this is the second time this year that this ship, the Yantar, has deployed to UK waters.”

Yantar entered the UK Exclusive Economic Zone about 45 nautical miles off the British coast on 20 January 2025 and was monitored by the Royal Navy before moving into the North Sea, while in November 2024 the ship was also closely watched and was detected loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure.

Addressing the Russian president, Healey stated, “So my message to Russia and to Putin is this: ‘We see you, we know what you’re doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week we are ready.’”

In light of Yantar shining lasers at the RAF P-8s, Healey noted that he had amended the rules of engagement with regard to dealing with the Russian ship, already he did not specify how.

Yantar, which is 107.8 m long, is the lead vessel of the Project 22010 class of three survey/research ships and entered service in May 2015. Manned by a crew of 60, the ship has a diesel-electric powerplant and features six diesel generators as well as two bow thrusters and two azimuth thrusters for station keeping at sea.

Yantar has launch and recovery systems on the stern and starboard side for the launch of remotely operated vehicles as well as Rus and Konsul manned deepwater submersibles, while a helipad is located on the foredeck.

Janes Fighting Ships states of the ship, “The size suggests extensive research facilities and long endurance.”

Ostensibly, Yantar is not armed, although it now appears the vessel has at least one laser dazzle device.