The Royal Navy has revealed it maintained a relentless three-month surveillance operation on Russian warships operating near UK waters as tensions with Moscow continue to rise.
Five British naval vessels were deployed to track the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich — the warship at the centre of a dramatic confrontation after it fired a warning shot at a British yacht in the Channel.
The frigate was monitored during multiple deployments between April and June, with Royal Navy ships and aircraft maintaining what officials described as an “unbroken watch” on Russian naval activity.
A Navy spokesman said: “Royal Navy warships and helicopters have maintained an unbroken watch on Russian frigates and their accompanying vessels in UK waters for nearly three months – and that vigil continues today.”
The operation involved patrol ships including HMS Tyne, HMS Ledbury, HMS Severn, HMS Mersey and Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland, which tracked the Russian vessel throughout May and into June, the Independent reported.
The revelation comes after the dramatic Channel incident involving the yacht Bright Future on June 16, when the Russian warship was accused of firing a warning shot south of the Isle of Wight.
It followed another major confrontation just days earlier when British forces carried out a six-hour raid on a suspected Russian “shadow fleet” tanker.
Royal Marines from 42 Commando, supported by the National Crime Agency, boarded the vessel MV Smyrtos in an operation involving Navy ships, helicopters and RAF aircraft.
The Navy said the mission involved support from HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury, Merlin helicopters, Wildcat helicopters, RAF Chinooks and P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft.
The expanding Russian naval presence around Britain has triggered a heightened military response, with British forces working alongside NATO allies and Ireland to monitor Moscow’s movements.
Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said: “The Royal Navy is on watch every hour of every day, protecting our waters and helping to keep the UK secure.”
She added that British sailors and aircrew were sending a “clear message” that the UK was ready to defend its waters and critical infrastructure.
The surveillance operation also uncovered Russian naval activity close to sensitive British infrastructure.
HMS Tyne reportedly observed the Admiral Grigorovich linking up with the Russian Amur-class supply ship PM-82 near the Galloper Wind Farm off Suffolk.
The supply vessel acts as a floating workshop capable of refuelling and supplying Russian warships.
The Royal Navy also tracked Russian intelligence-gathering vessels, including the Yury Ivanov, which was intercepted by HMS Somerset alongside NATO partners and Irish Defence Forces.
HMS Somerset was later tasked with shadowing a Russian landing ship and tanker moving through the English Channel.
Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, Royal Navy Fleet Commander, said British forces had been working “tirelessly” to respond to increased Russian naval activity.
He said the mission demonstrated the Navy’s ability to “respond quickly to emerging challenges” and protect UK security.
The revelations underline a growing maritime confrontation between Britain and Russia, with Moscow’s warships, intelligence vessels and shadow fleet tankers coming under increasing scrutiny.
Behind the scenes, the quiet naval shadowing operation shows a tense new reality: Russian vessels may be moving through UK waters — but British forces are watching every move.
Leave a Comment