Russian spy ship currently operating near British coast

A Russian research and intelligence vessel, Yantar, has been spotted loitering near critical underwater infrastructure in the Irish Sea, raising concerns about potential threats to key communication cables.

The ship, which is closely monitored by a P-8A aircraft and possibly the HMS Iron Duke, briefly activated its Automatic Identification System (AIS) on 14 November 2024, revealing its location.

The Yantar is known for its role in intelligence gathering, particularly focusing on submarine-related operations. It is equipped with cutting-edge technology for deep-sea exploration and is believed to be capable of carrying out reconnaissance missions targeting undersea cables and other vital infrastructure.

As noted by experts, the Yantar is a part of Russia’s maritime intelligence operations, and its recent activities have garnered attention.

The vessel’s position was tracked via AIS, a tool typically used to monitor shipping vessels, and confirmed by open-source intelligence (OSINT). The ship’s activities are also believed to be coordinated with other naval assets, such as an oiler and a frigate, previously seen accompanying the vessel.

The presence of Yantar and its potential implications for regional security continue to be a matter of interest.

The ship

The Yantar is a Project 22010-class intelligence ship operated by the Russian Navy, equipped with advanced capabilities for deep-sea missions. Acting as a mothership for specialised submersibles, it can deploy the Rus-class and Konsul-class mini-subs, which are capable of reaching depths of up to 6,000 metres (around 20,000 feet). This remarkable range allows Yantar access to and possible interaction with undersea infrastructure, including telecommunications cables stretching across seabeds worldwide. The U.S. Navy has voiced concerns over Yantar’s capability to sever such cables, suggesting it may have uses beyond simple scientific exploration.

Though officially described as an “oceanic research complex” by Alexei Burilichev, head of the Russian Defence Ministry’s deepwater research department, Yantar’s activities have often attracted international scrutiny and raised speculation. The vessel has been observed close to important undersea telecommunications routes and infrastructure, sparking concerns among NATO and other nations about its possible intentions. With a mission profile blending intelligence-gathering and deep-sea research, Yantar serves strategic purposes well beyond civilian applications.

Yantar has made headlines for its presence in key regions. In 2015, it was spotted off the coast of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and later in Norwegian waters. In the following years, it appeared near Greenland, Israel, and Cyprus – locations that coincide with sensitive undersea cables or military recovery missions. Notably, in 2017, Yantar was involved in retrieving equipment from crashed Russian aircraft in the Mediterranean and joined international efforts to locate the missing Argentine submarine ARA San Juan.

More recently, Yantar has been reported off the Brazilian coast, in the English Channel, and near Ireland, often closely following submarine cables and sometimes operating without activated identification systems. Its presence in the North Atlantic, especially close to critical transatlantic cables, has led to increased monitoring by NATO countries. In 2023, the Norwegian Coast Guard documented an incident where Yantar shadowed the research vessel RV Kronprins Haakon for over 16 hours, mirroring its movements in what Norwegian officials called harassment, though Yantar adhered to international maritime law.

With a full load displacement of 5,736 tonnes, Yantar is 107.8 metres long and can reach speeds up to 15 knots. Its endurance of 60 days and range of 8,000 nautical miles allow for extended operations in remote areas. The vessel is equipped with two azipods for propulsion, along with a helipad.