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So far, the ship has complied with international rules of navigation, but this is the second time that ‘Yantar’ has entered our waters in recent months. In November, the ship was also closely watched, and was detected loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure. To deter any potential threat, I took measured steps at that time as part of a clear, direct response to the Russian vessel. Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft, alongside HMS ‘Cattistock’, HMS ‘Tyne’ and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ‘Proteus’, were deployed to shadow every movement of ‘Yantar’. Today, I also confirm to the House that I authorised a Royal Navy submarine to surface close to ‘Yantar’—strictly as a deterrent measure —to make it clear that we had been covertly monitoring its every move. The ship then left UK waters without further loitering, and sailed down to the Mediterranean.