UK: Prepared to Respond to Any Russian Invasion

According to Associated Press, the UK warned Russia on Wednesday, November 19, that it is prepared to respond to any invasion after discovering the Russian spy ship "Yantar" approaching UK waters north of Scotland.

The "Yantar" belongs to the Russian Navy and can be used for sabotage operations during wartime, while it carries out surveillance tasks in peacetime. British Defence Secretary John Healey said that this Russian ship has used lasers to shine on British reconnaissance pilots monitoring the UK.

Healey said in a speech in London: "I want to tell Russia and Putin: we see you, and we know what you're doing. If the Yantar continues to sail south this week, we are ready." The Russian Embassy in the UK accused the UK government of being "anti-Russian" and "inciting military fervor" in a statement, and said Moscow has no intention of threatening British security.

Healey issued his warning as the UK government was preparing to release a new budget, and he used the opportunity to defend increasing defense spending. In June, the UK pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, in line with most NATO countries. This target includes 3.5% of GDP for core defense budgets and an additional 1.5% for infrastructure projects supporting defense. The UK's defense spending last year was about 2.3% of GDP. Despite Prime Minister Starmer's promise to significantly increase military spending in response to threats from Russia, China, and Iran, the government still faces difficult choices between tax increases and spending cuts to fill a shortfall of hundreds of billions of pounds.

Healey also announced the construction of at least six new ammunition factories in multiple locations from Scotland to Wales. In June, the government had already committed to investing £1.5 billion (US$2 billion) to build these factories, which are expected to create at least 1,000 jobs and boost economic growth.

Healey also mentioned the attacks on submarine pipelines and communication cables in the Baltic Sea earlier this year, stating: "It is part of the Russian fleet aimed at threatening our and our allies' underwater infrastructure."

Healey said this was not the first time the "Yantar" had tested the UK's defenses. After the UK issued a warning last year, the ship left UK waters heading to the Mediterranean. In January this year, when it crossed the English Channel, the HMS Somerset, a frigate responsible for home defense, followed it throughout.

Source: rfi

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849247598248972/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself