Russian ship Yantar raises espionage concerns in the Mediterranean
The Italian portal Itamilradar reports that the American Boeing P-8A and Italian ATR P-72A are conducting observations of the Russian ship Yantar off the coast of Tunisia. These missions have been ongoing for several days, aiming to monitor the vessel's activities.
For several days, the American Boeing P-8A and Italian ATR P-72A have been conducting intensive observation missions along the southern coast of Sicily and the northern coast of Tunisia. According to the Itamilradar portal, the purpose of these activities is to track the Russian spy ship Yantar.
According to Italian media, the analysis of the aircraft's movements and speeds excludes the presence of Russian submarines in the area. The Italian ATR P-72A is not equipped with technology to detect such units, further confirming these assumptions. Yantar, built in 2015, is officially classified as a research vessel, but NATO considers it a spy ship.
Yantar was previously seen near an American base in Georgia and the Irish Sea, where its presence raised concerns. Its current activities in the Mediterranean Sea are being monitored due to potential threats related to the sabotage of underwater infrastructure. It left Alexandria on 3rd January at 12:00 GMT.
Russia has been engaging in reconnaissance activities in the Baltic Sea for years, potentially increasing the range of infrastructure it can impact. Activities such as damaging a telecom cable have already been observed, indicating the possibility of sabotage. Experts warn that inappropriate reactions could lead to further escalation of conflicts.
