Britain rattles its sabre at Russia’s spy ship – but is it a hollow threat?

UK Warns Russia: ‘We Are Ready’ as Spy Ship Yantar Nears British Waters

Thursday 20 November 2025 

Britain’s defence secretary has issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin, telling him to turn his spy ship Yantar away from UK waters or face consequences. The public warning was intended to deter Russian interference, but critics argue it highlights the fragility of the UK’s own defences.

A Warning Backed by Weak Defence Capabilities

John Healey, the defence secretary, repeated government commitments to increase defence spending and strengthen European security alongside NATO.
Yet he also emphasised how upcoming defence investments will create UK jobs — a message that reflects the government’s focus on economic growth even in moments of escalating security tension.

Analysts note the contrast: during the 1930s, when Britain prepared for war with Nazi Germany, defence production focused entirely on survival, not job creation. Today, national readiness may depend as much on public understanding of defence as on military hardware.

Political Blame Amid Rising Threats

Mr Healey used the moment to criticize the previous Conservative government for cutting the armed forces — despite similar shortfalls under past Labour governments.
A new report released by the Defence Select Committee the same day underscored the seriousness of the situation, accusing the government of lacking a national strategy to defend the UK from attack.

MPs warned that the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and his cabinet are moving at a “glacial” pace to rebuild national security and have failed to initiate the “national conversation on defence” promised last year.

Wargame Findings: UK Defences Are Thin

A Sky News and Tortoise Media wargame recently showed how decades of defence cuts have left the UK’s armed forces — the army, navy, and air force — severely underprepared for a major attack.
Beyond military hardware, Britain no longer has a functional, rehearsed plan to transition from peace to wartime operations, after such systems were quietly scrapped in the early 2000s.

Dangerous Encounter at Sea

Mr Healey also revealed that the Russian ship Yantar recently shone a laser light at an RAF reconnaissance aircraft tracking it — an act he called “deeply dangerous”.

His message to the Kremlin was blunt:

“We see you. We know what you are doing. And if Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.”

What “ready” means remains unclear. The UK could attempt to block the ship’s passage or fire warning shots — actions that risk prompting retaliation from Moscow.

Yantar Moves Away… For Now

The Yantar, equipped with sensors capable of monitoring underwater communications cables and other critical infrastructure, was closest to the UK between 5 and 11 November. It has since moved away, but the military continues to track its position closely in case it returns.