UK Royal Navy increases monitoring of Russian military activity in UK waters and North Atlantic

In July, Royal Navy warships and helicopters spent 21 days monitoring Russian warships and submarines. Four Royal Navy vessels—HMS Somerset, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn—were 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’s area of responsibility while escorting vessels described as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which the UK states is supporting Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

This increased monitoring follows the UK’s 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.