Written Question·Ministry of Defence·UIN 92637
Russia: Warships
Tabled: 19 November 2025
Answered: 24 November 2025
Named DayQuestion
James Cartlidge
Conservative — South Suffolk
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on national security of the Russian spy vessel Yantar entering British waters.
Answer
Al CarnsRussia’s Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research is developing capabilities intended to survey underwater infrastructure during peacetime and damage, or even destroy, it during a conflict. These capabilities are deployed from submarines and specialist surface vessels, including Yantar.
MOD takes this threat extremely seriously. The Royal Navy closely track and monitor the activities of the Yantar, and have military options ready to respond if needed.