By Smartencyclopedia Newsdesk with Agencies

The British government has been closely monitoring the Russian spy ship Yantar as it navigates near the British Isles, raising concerns about the security of critical undersea infrastructure. This comes amid heightened European vigilance following the suspected sabotage of undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea last month.

The Yantar, officially designated as an oceanographic research vessel by Russia, is believed to be part of a larger effort to map undersea cables connecting nations and continents. According to NATO intelligence, the ship is equipped with submersibles capable of operating at depths of up to 6,000 meters (20,000 feet), potentially enabling it to tap or sever fiber optic cables critical for global communications.

‘We Tracked Them Every Mile’

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the Yantar’s presence in British waters, noting it was under constant surveillance. “We tracked them every mile of their circumvention and made sure they knew we were watching,” said Defence Secretary John Healey.

While the U.K. has not directly accused Russia of sabotaging the Baltic cables, Healey emphasized the strategic vulnerability of undersea infrastructure. “Clearly, there is a recognition in recent months, not least because we have seen damage to essential undersea cables in different parts of the North Atlantic, the North Sea, and the Baltic, that this is an area that requires attention,” Healey told the Defence Committee during a parliamentary session.

A Growing Global Threat

The presence of Yantar follows warnings from NATO about Russian reconnaissance efforts targeting global undersea cables. These cables are the backbone of international communications, carrying over 95% of global internet traffic and enabling trillions of dollars in daily financial transactions.

“Undersea cables are a shared concern,” Healey said, highlighting the collaborative efforts of NATO allies to secure this vital infrastructure. The U.K. and Germany have agreed to coordinate more closely in monitoring cable networks, as well as countering cyber threats and physical sabotage.

Experts warn that damaging undersea cables could have catastrophic economic and strategic implications. “Disruptions to these networks could cost millions, if not billions, in lost productivity and financial transactions,” noted a senior analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). Moreover, undersea cables are critical for NATO’s military communication and coordination, making their protection a high priority for the alliance.

Russian Ship’s Global Activities Under Scrutiny

The Yantar has a history of provocative activities near undersea cable routes. In August 2021, it was observed loitering off the Irish coast, where major transatlantic cables connect Europe and North America. Similarly, the ship has been reported near sensitive infrastructure off the coasts of the U.S., Norway, and Greenland.

The vessel’s reputation as a “spy ship” stems from its reported capabilities to cut, tap, or surveil undersea cables. While Russia maintains that Yantar is used for oceanographic research, Western intelligence agencies see its activities as part of a broader strategy to enhance Russia’s ability to disrupt global communications in a crisis.

Heightened Awareness and Preparedness

The suspected sabotage of Baltic cables connecting Finland and Sweden last month has heightened the urgency for Europe to address undersea vulnerabilities. While investigations into that incident are ongoing, many European leaders suspect Russian involvement.

Such events underscore the importance of robust international collaboration. NATO allies have ramped up efforts to monitor and safeguard undersea infrastructure, conducting joint patrols, investing in surveillance technology, and sharing intelligence.

As tensions between Russia and the West remain high, Yantar’s movements serve as a reminder of the strategic importance—and fragility—of undersea communication networks. With global reliance on these critical infrastructures only set to grow, protecting them has become a key element of modern security policy.