A Russian research and intelligence vessel, Yantar, is once again raising concerns about potential threats to key cables.
The ship, which is being closely monitored by NATO assets, briefly activated its Automatic Identification System (AIS) last night, 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.
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This is the kind of vessel that needs to be escorted through the Channel as much if not more than any warship, closely and by a ship with sonar or sonar jammers. If it behaves suspiciously, board and search it, as international law allows.
Emm, George, good morning. Brazilian Coast in the English Channel? Not sure but I think my geography must be mixed up.
I am trying to understand why European nations are allowing this to happen. There are laws that cover the freedom of navigation and the rights of innocent passage.
The term Innocent Passage is defined under international law referring to a ship or aircraft’s right to enter and pass through another’s territory so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the other state. Under Article 19 of the UNCLOS III it is defined “Passage is innocent so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State.”
Passage of a foreign ship shall be considered to be prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State, if in the territorial sea it engages any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of the coastal State, or in any other manner in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations; any exercise or practice with weapons of any kind; any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of the defence or security of the coastal State; any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defence or security of the coastal State; the launching, landing or taking on board of any aircraft; the launching, landing or taking on board of any military device; the loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or person contrary to the customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations of the coastal State; any act of willful and serious pollution contrary to this Convention; any fishing activities; the carrying out of research or survey activities; any act aimed at interfering with any systems of communication or any other facilities or installations of the coastal State; any other activity not having a direct bearing on passage.
As Russia is guilty of making threats of the use of force against the UK and other NATO members as well as Russian flagged or Russian false flagged ships have committed act of sabotage against NATO/European state infrastructure then as is in accordance with the Law, Euorpe should or could ban all ships heading for and coming from Russian ports from entering European coastal waters. As coastal waters is recognised as 12 miles from the coastal baseline (low tide mark) if all of Europe made the decleration that means that the Russians could not use the English Channel, the Kattegat, or for that matter Russia would not be able to use the Eastern Med for entry or exit from the Black Sea.
This implementation of the Law does not stop Russian imports/exports it just means that they could not use European waters to do it, they still have Murmansk/Vladivostok.
It’s outside the 12 mile limit so nothing they can do, it’s worth noting that submarine cables are literally on nautical charts so it’s unlikely this vesell is gathering anything particularly useful information . It’s the typical Russian propaganda stunt.
Firstly, even if it is just mooching around it ties up assets that should be doing other things. Which is clear we need more assets. For this kind of thing the Echo class were good as they had high res sonar so could watch exactly what she was doing.
Secondly, it is perfectly capable of placing taps or pre positioning charges so we have to keep any eye on her.
Simple. Tell it to get up steam, get out of the area, follow it. If it fecks around? Board it, arrest the lot and charge them with whatever. Then tow it to deep water and sink it. Of course the Liebour government would act in this way because they are all patriots. And don’t anyone reply with platitudes or “the law of the sea” crud please. We are at war.
Sure, we are in a grey(ish) kind of war where cables and pipelines are cut and ‘mysterious’ fires and explosions are rife.
All very hard to navigate TBH
Would be such a shame if their dragging anchor dislodged a ‘legacy’ mine😉
Sink it.