On 19 November 2025, Britain’s defence landscape was shaken up when Russian intelligence-gathering vessel Yantar was reported as having targeted pilots from the Royal Air Force (RAF). Utilising laser beams directed from within their vessels near Scotland, Yantar directed lasers directly towards them while operating near British waters on 19 November. [Sources: Reuters + 2 | Sky News]
John Healey, UK Defence Secretary, noted that the Yantar was on the edge of UK waters having entered UK wide waters over recent weeks and was being closely monitored by British forces. Sky News

He reported that, during their surveillance mission, “Yantar directed lasers at our pilots” – an act which he considered extremely risky.
TRT World describes the Yantar as an intelligence gathering vessel used for mapping undersea cables operated by Russia’s Main Directorate for Deep-Sea Research (GUGI). Sky News describes this vessel as well.
Healey highlighted the ship’s dual function “in peacetime for surveillance and in conflict for sabotage”, when discussing threats to undersea infrastructure. AP News.
Healey also announced that the Royal Navy has revised their rules of engagement in order to monitor any change of course by Yantar when operating in UK wider waters. [Reuters]
This incident marks the first known instance in which a Yantar has targeted British aircrew with laser illumination, raising serious safety concerns as well as an escalated maritime-military confrontation.
Anadolu Ajansi reported this incident.
Healey used this event to deliver a message about an ever-shifting global security landscape, noting how things have become less predictable and more dangerous over time, with tensions from drone disruptions over Europe to incursions into NATO airspace and cyber attacks on UK defence systems all present at any one time. Anadolu Ajansi hosted this event.
+1 The UK has responded by deploying both naval and air assets to shadow the Yantar and changing rules of engagement, signaling more robust deterrence and readiness against hybrid threats. The laser incident not only highlights risks posed to military personnel but also highlights undersea infrastructure such as data cables that may have been targeted by Yantar. (Source: Newsweek).
Though details regarding the incident remain sparse–such as its exact power, damage sustained, and Russia’s response–the UK has made its position clear: such provocations will not go unanswered. According to Healey: “My message to Russia and Putin is this: We see what you’re doing; if Yantar travels south this week we are ready.” (AP News).
As this incident highlights for British public and service personnel, it highlights the evolving nature of maritime intelligence operations, with blurry boundaries between surveillance and aggression. Furthermore, it poses questions on what response would be acceptable when foreign assets target military pilots over international waters. As more information emerges, this incident could prompt policy reviews on aerial and naval monitoring practices, pilot safety protocols, as well as how the UK handles mirror vessel operations by other nations.

In the coming days, it will be crucial to keep an eye on whether Yantar strays further south and how UK and its allies respond, as well as whether Russia offers any explanation or response. Britain has strengthened their posture recently which suggests an increasingly assertive defense strategy–one where rules of engagement may be adjusted in response to evolving threats.