Yantar

The Yantar is a specialized Russian oceanographic research vessel operated by the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI). It serves as a support ship for deep-sea manned and unmanned submersibles, capable of conducting underwater surveillance, salvage, and research.

Developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, the vessel was laid down in 2010 at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad and commissioned into the Russian Navy in May 2015. It is widely recognized for its operations near critical undersea communication cables in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, raising international concerns over potential espionage. The ship remains active and continues to perform deep-sea operations for the Russian Northern Fleet.