The laser weapons developed by Russia that could blind a sniper or kill a drone

When a Russian “spy ship” targeted an RAF patrol aircraft with lasers off the coast of Scotland this week, it prompted a stark warning from the Defence Secretary about this “deeply dangerous” action.

“We are ready,” John Healey told Vladimir Putin, apparently reserving the right to use force if the vessel turned towards British territory.

Yet key details about exactly what happened – including the type of laser used by the Yantar’s crew, if it was just one beam or several, and how it affected crew inside the P-8 Poseidon jet – are still to be revealed. New Feature

In Short

Quick Stories. Same trusted journalism.

Experts suspect that a cheap handheld laser pen may have been all that was used on this occasion.

However, it will lead to concerns about military uses of lasers becoming