The UK authorized the British submarine to surface closely to the Russian vessel to warn it off, British defense secretary Healey said.

A British submarine surfaced close to a Russian spy ship loitering over critical UK underwater infrastructure to deter any potential threat, Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament.He explained to MPs that he had changes the rules of engagement for the Royal Navy so it could get close to the Yantar vessel,

Defence Secretary John Healey said Russia "remains the most pressing and immediate threat to Britain", and added that "any threat will be met with strength and resolve".

Moscow’s intelligence ship Yantar enters UK waters in ‘another example of growing Russian aggression’, according to the Defence Secretary

Britain said it monitored a Russian spy ship in the English Channel in recent days and would strengthen its response to secret operations by Russian ships and aircraft in an effort to protect undersea cables.

The British Navy detected a Russian spy ship in the English Channel this week. This vessel had previously been observed near critical underwater infrastructure in British waters. The spy ship was tracked a few weeks after it was first seen over crucial underwater infrastructure in British waters.

A Royal Navy submarine was authorized to surface close to a Russian ship "strictly as a deterrent measure," British Defense Secretary John Healey said.

The Royal Navy has been monitoring a Russian spy ship after it entered British waters, the defence secretary has told MPs. John Healey said the vessel, Yantar, was used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure.