“Navigating Tensions: Defence Secretary’s Insights on Russian Naval Movements and the UK’s Strategic Response – January 22, 2025”

Mr Speaker, with your consent, I would like to deliver a statement regarding the UK’s reaction to the recent Russian maritime operations.

I am pleased that the House has anticipated this, this morning.

Mr Speaker, the foreign vessel, Yantar, is currently situated in the North Sea, having traversed British waters.

Let me clarify, this is a Russian reconnaissance ship employed for collecting intelligence and charting the UK’s essential underwater infrastructure.

Yantar entered the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone approximately 45 nautical miles from the British shoreline on Monday.

For the past two days, the Royal Navy has dispatched HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to observe the vessel every moment as it navigates through our waters.

Furthermore, I modified the Royal Navy’s Rules of Engagement so that our warships can approach closer and better monitor the Yantar.

Thus far, the ship has adhered to international navigation regulations.

However, Mr Speaker, this marks the second occasion Yantar has entered our waters in recent months.

In November, the vessel was similarly monitored and was detected hovering over critical undersea infrastructure in the UK.

To prevent any possible threat, I took measured actions then as part of a clear and direct reaction to the Russian ship.

The RAF maritime patrol aircraft, along with HMS Cattistock, HMS Tyne, and RFA Proteus, were deployed to trace Yantar’s every movement.

Today, I also wish to inform the House that I authorized a Royal Navy submarine – strictly as a deterrent action – to surface near Yantar to demonstrate that we had been secretly tracking its every movement.

The vessel then exited UK waters – without any further hovering – and proceeded to the Mediterranean.

As colleagues will comprehend, I will not elaborate further for reasons of operational security. However, I want to express my gratitude to all personnel involved for their commitment and professionalism.

And I also want President Putin to receive this message: We observe you. We are aware of your actions. And we will not hesitate to take firm actions to safeguard this nation.

And together with our NATO allies, we are enhancing our response to ensure that Russian vessels and aircraft cannot operate undetected near the UK or near NATO territories.

Mr Speaker, this exemplifies yet another instance of increasing Russian aggression, targeting our allies abroad and us at home.

The heads of MI6 and the CIA recently issued a joint statement asserting that Russia is conducting a “reckless campaign of sabotage” across Europe.

We are witnessing intermittent incursions of Russian military aircraft into airspace under our jurisdiction.

And on Christmas Day, the Estlink2 undersea cable between Finland and Estonia sustained damage. Several analysts believe this was instigated by a vessel within Russia’s Shadow Fleet.

Mr Speaker, Russia poses a threat, but fundamentally it is weak.

In Ukraine, it has experienced alarmingly high casualty rates over three years in a conflict it expected to conclude within a week.

Adding to the disgrace, Putin has had to seek assistance from North Korea to reinforce its frontline troops.

And while the strategic defeat in Syria has undeniably revealed its declining influence on the world stage, at home the Russian economy is facing crippling pressures.

Nevertheless, Mr Speaker, Russia remains the most urgent and immediate threat to Britain.

And I wish to reassure the House and the British public that any threat will be confronted with strength and determination.

First, we are fulfilling our security obligations in our Plan for Change by ensuring Britain is secure domestically.

Yantar has now passed through the Dover Strait and is in Dutch territorial waters.

In September, RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept two Russian Bear-F aircraft operating in proximity to the UK.

And the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is also playing a crucial role in defending offshore infrastructure with its multi-role ocean surveillance ship, RFA Proteus.

Second, we are bolstering Britain’s strengths internationally, collaborating with NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force partners.

The UK activated Nordic Warden with Joint Expeditionary Force partners following the Estlink2 cable damage.

This operation tracks potential hazards to undersea infrastructure, monitors the movements of the Russian Shadow Fleet, and sends real-time alerts regarding suspicious activity to Joint Expeditionary Force partners and NATO.

And today, I can confirm that the RAF will deploy P-8 Poseidon and Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft to support the new Baltic Sentry NATO deployment to protect vital infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

And thirdly, Mr Speaker, in conjunction with allies, we are intensifying pressure on Putin.

This year, the UK will provide more financial resources as military aid to Ukraine than at any point since the full-scale invasion commenced. £4.5 billion is allocated for delivering military support to enhance training and strengthen industrial collaboration.

The UK is also leading initiatives to undermine the Russian economy, including:

• Imposing sanctions on over 100 ships within the Russian Shadow Fleet, more than any other nation.

• Collaborating with other nations to prevent the Russian military from acquiring the materials, equipment, and technologies essential for continuing their operations against Ukraine.

• And, alongside allies, revealing the activities of Russian intelligence services, expelling Russian intelligence officers, and imposing sanctions on individuals accountable for hostile actions against the UK.

Mr Speaker, Russian aggression will not be accepted, either at home or in Ukraine.

This is why one of the initial acts of this government was for the Prime Minister to initiate the Strategic Defence Review.

This is why the Government has augmented defence spending next year by nearly £3 billion. And why we will outline a strategy to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in the spring.

Mr Speaker, this new age of threats necessitates a new approach for defence.

Change is imperative, not optional, and the Government is resolute in rising to the challenge, committed to delivering for Defence.

We will safeguard the homeland and our essential national infrastructure. And we will ensure Britain is secure at home and powerful abroad.