UK Says ‘Military Options Ready’ After Russian Ship Uses Lasers Against Air Force

The Russian spy ship Yantar, designed for intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables, was spotted off the coast of Scotland.

The Russian spy ship Yantar (top) is shadowed by the British frigate, HMS Somerset, in the English Channel on Jan. 20, 2025. UK Ministry of Defence

British Defense Secretary John Healey warned Moscow that the UK was ready to respond with “military options” after the Russian spy ship Yantar directed lasers at pilots of Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities on Nov. 19.

The Yantar, which is designed for intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables, is currently hanging around off Scotland’s northern coast.