The Royal Navy has been monitoring a Russian spy ship after it entered British waters, the defence secretary has told MPs. John Healey said the vessel, Yantar, was used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure. He said the incident was "another example of growing Russian aggression".

The Defence Secretary told the Russian leader: "We see you, we know what you are doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country." It came as the minister told MPs the Russian vessel, Yanta, was currently in the North Sea having passed through British waters.

Britain said it monitored a Russian spy ship in the English Channel in recent days and would strengthen its response to secret operations by Russian ships and aircraft in an effort to protect undersea cables.

British Defence Secretary John Healey told parliament Wednesday the Royal Navy was tracking a "Russian spy ship" that passed through UK waters, warning Russia's President Vladimir Putin: "We know what you're doing".

The UK Defence Secretary has warned President Putin “We know what you are doing” after a Russian spy ship was tracked this week in the English Channel by a Royal Navy warship. It comes just weeks after the same ship was caught loitering over critical undersea infrastructure in UK waters.

The Yantar, which is used for gathering intelligence, is currently in the North Sea after entering the UK exclusive economic zone about 45 miles off the British coast on Monday, the Defence Secretary