UK Royal Navy increases monitoring of Russian military activity in UK waters and North Atlantic
The United Kingdom has intensified its monitoring of Russian military activity in UK waters and the North Atlantic, with Royal Navy operations increasing by 25 percent in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. In July, Royal Navy warships and helicopters spent 21 days monitoring Russian warships and submarines. Four Royal Navy vessels鈥擧MS Somerset, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn鈥攚ere deployed, alongside Wildcat helicopters and Merlin submarine-hunting aircraft. The UK Ministry of Defence reported that the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy repeatedly transited the UK鈥檚 area of responsibility while escorting vessels described as part of Russia鈥檚 shadow fleet, which the UK states is supporting Moscow鈥檚 war effort in Ukraine. This increased monitoring follows the UK鈥檚 interception of the sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in June. On July 20, HMS Tyne monitored Neustrashimy during gunnery exercises outside UK and French territorial waters, moving within five nautical miles to observe and gather intelligence. HMS Somerset also completed a four-month deployment monitoring surface and underwater activity in the North Atlantic. HMS Severn was activated twice in July to monitor Russian warships, shadowing RFN Admiral Grigorovich and later Neustrashimy as it escorted the shadow fleet tanker MV Vulkan.
