A RUSSIAN spy ship fled UK waters after a Royal Navy nuclear submarine surfaced yards away in a show of force. Defence Secretary John Healy revealed details of the high seas showdown as he

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 Royal Navy has been monitoring a Russian spy ship after it was spotted around UK waters earlier this week, 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.

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.

In a message to Vladimir Putin, Defence Secretary John Healey said ‘we see you, we know what you are doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country’

A BARROW-built Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine was used to warn off one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's spy ships operating around

Defence secretary John Healey said the Russian vessel Yantar is being 'used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure'

A Russian "spy ship" was tracked by the Royal Navy as it entered British waters, UK Defence Secretary John Healey told parliament Wednesday amid heightened concerns over the security of underwater infrastructure.

The Russian spy ship was intercepted by a Royal Navy frigate, HMS Somerset, as it sailed into the channel and headed north to the North Sea. RFA Proteus, a British multi-role ocean surveillance ship, shadowed the Yantar on Tuesday, according to GPS data captured by the website MarineTraffic.

The Kremlin declined on Thursday to comment on UK accusations that a "Russian spy ship" passed through British waters, a day after London issued a warning to President Vladimir Putin.

Defence Secretary John Healey has told Vladimir Putin ‘we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country’ after revealing a Russian spy ship has been off the British coast for two days.