Mr Healey also said the world was on the brink, with wars having erupted across the globe.
“In the last year alone, we’ve seen the Israel-Iran war bring the Middle East close to the very brink [and] armed conflict break out between India and Pakistan,” he said.
The Yantar is currently on the edge of British waters north of Scotland, having entered the “UK’s wider waters in the last few weeks”, Mr Healey added.
The spy ship was previously spotted entering UK waters in January, prompting a major intervention from the Royal Navy.
Yantar, which Mr Healey said was designed for “for gathering intelligence and mapping our undersea cables”, was shadowed by frigate HMS Somerset and patrol ship HMS Tyne.
HMS Somerset covertly launched its Merlin helicopter, which used its sensors to spot the Russian ship as it made its way north towards the English Channel.
The Type 23 frigate then closed in on Yantar’s location and intercepted it in the entrance to the Channel – south of the traffic separation scheme at Ushant, near France.
Russia in British waters
Cdr Matthew Teare, HMS Somerset’s captain, said at the time: “The Royal Navy is always there when the nation needs, protecting our home and the waters that surround it.
“This is routine business for HMS Somerset’s ship’s company and the Royal Navy, but it is nonetheless vital work for the UK’s security and I am proud of the professionalism of my crew.”
Britain has grown increasingly concerned about Russia’s naval presence in UK waters.
Last month, the Defence Secretary claimed Russian submarine activity had increased by a third.
Meanwhile, warships from the Russian fleet have been increasingly shadowed by British ships as they pass through the Channel. Defence officials insist these operations are routine.
