Royal Navy shadows Russian warships in UK waters for three months
The Royal Navy says it has maintained a three-month continuous surveillance operation over Russian warships sailing in UK waters, including a frigate that fired warning shots at a British yacht.
Five navy ships were assigned to follow the Admiral Grigorovich ship, which was involved in the incident with the Bright Future yacht south of the Isle of Wight on 16 June.
A Royal Navy spokesman confirmed the frigate’s presence in the Channel at various periods: 30 April to 4 May, 8 to 12 May and 22 to 28 May.
He said: “Royal Navy warships and helicopters have been keeping watch on Russian frigates and their accompanying ships in British waters for nearly three months, and this watch continues today.
“Patrol ships HMS Tyne, Ledbury, Severn, Mersey and Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland followed the Russian navy’s Admiral Grigorovich throughout May and into June.
“This follows a joint effort in April in which Royal Navy ships or aircraft monitored the Russian warship on a daily basis.”
The yacht incident occurred two days after the seizure of the Russian shadow fleet tanker MV Smyrtos on June 14.
A Navy spokesman said: “Green Berets from 42 Commando, alongside specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, boarded Smyrtos on a six-hour mission supported by HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury, Merlin Mk4s from the Commando Helicopter Force, Wildcat helicopters and RAF Chinooks and P8 Poseidon aircraft.”
Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: “The Royal Navy stands watch around the clock, protecting our waters and helping to keep the UK safe.
“As Russia’s naval activities around the UK continue, our sailors and aircrews have worked with NATO allies and Ireland to track, monitor and deter ships operating close to our coasts.
“I pay tribute to the men and women who carry out this vital work every day. Their professionalism sends a clear message: We are always vigilant and will always defend our nation, our waters and our critical infrastructure.”
Royal Navy Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse said: “The Royal Navy has worked tirelessly in recent months to protect UK waters in response to increased Russian naval activity.
“Our sailors, ships and aircraft have been on constant watch to help keep the UK safe and reassure our allies.
“Their professionalism, dedication and teamwork demonstrate the Royal Navy’s ability to respond quickly to emerging challenges alongside NATO partners to keep our seas safe and secure.”
A Navy spokesman said the monitoring operation included HMS Tyne observing Grigorovich “conducting raft landings near the Galloper Wind Farm off the Suffolk coast with the Russian Amur-class supply ship PM-82.”
“The supply ship operates as a floating workshop capable of transferring fuel and supplies to Russian warships,” he said.
He added that the Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset captured the Russian navy intelligence gathering ship Yury Ivanov.
The spokesman said: “The operation was carried out alongside other NATO warships and was supported by maritime patrol aircraft and Irish Defense Force ships, ensuring constant monitoring of the ship’s movements.”
He added: “Somerset was then tasked with sailing from the Isles of Scilly to shadow the Ropucha-class Landing Craft Transport Aleksander Shabalin and tanker MV Mikhail Britnev across the English Channel, the final part of a sustained maritime surveillance mission.”
