Russian spy ship confirmed to be operating near cables off Dublin

A Russian spy ship, the Yantar, has been confirmed to be operating near subsea cables in the Irish Sea, just north of Dublin. The Irish Naval Service is monitoring the vessel, which is officially described as an oceanographic research ship but is believed to be equipped for deep-sea tracking and potentially tapping into undersea communication cables. The Yantar was last tracked approximately 60 kilometers off the east coast and was observed to have turned off its transponder while accompanying a Russian warship before reappearing within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Irish Naval Service has positioned a vessel nearby to deter the Yantar's entry into the EEZ and has communicated with it. The British Royal Navy and US Navy are also monitoring the situation, with a British surveillance plane operating in the area. The Defence Forces stated that all vessels, including military ones, are allowed to transit through coastal states' waters under international law, and they are conducting continuous surveillance to ensure compliance.

- The Russian spy ship Yantar is operating near subsea cables off Dublin.

- The Irish Naval Service is monitoring the Yantar as part of a multinational operation.

- The Yantar is believed to have capabilities for deep-sea tracking and tapping into communication cables.

- The British Royal Navy and US Navy are also involved in monitoring the situation.

- The Defence Forces emphasize that all vessels can transit through Irish waters under international law.