Shining lasers into a pilot's eyes is provocative, and to use the Defence Secretary John Healey's words, "deeply dangerous". It's illegal in the UK and can lead to a prison sentence.

A Russian vessel has ventured into British waters with a brazen new tactic: directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots. The incident marks a dramatic escalation in Moscow's campaign against the United Kingdom's critical infrastructure,

The UK confirmed it is shadowing Russia’s spy vessel Yantar with allied forces, signaling readiness to counter any potential threat near British waters.

HMS Severn headed off the warship and a tanker as they sailed west through the Dover Strait, the Ministry of Defence said.

Britain has warned Russia that it's ready to deal with any incursions into its territory after the spy ship Yantar was detected on the edge of U.K. waters north of Scotland.

It comes as NATO says Russia is repeatedly testing the reaction and resolve of the Western alliance with serious provocations.

A UK patrol ship has intercepted a Russian corvette and a tanker after shadowing them through the English Channel, the Defense Ministry said Sunday, adding that Russian naval activity around UK waters had increased by 30% over the past two years.

British defence minister John Healey said on Wednesday that "military options" are ready should the Russian spy ship Yantar become a threat after it directed lasers at British pilots sent to monitor it.

The Royal Navy intercepts a Russian warship and tanker in the English Channel as UK ministers warn of rising naval threats near the coast amid increased Russian activity.