Russian ships are intercepted within the English Channel as UK warns Putin ‘we all know precisely what your navy is doing’
The Royal Navy has intercepted Russian ships in the English Channel, as the UK has warned Vladimir Putin it knows ‘exactly what his navy is doing.’
Earlier this week, UK warships and aircraft were activated to shadow Russian vessels during a two-day operation in coordination with NATO allies.
Portsmouth-based patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn were dispatched alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron to intercept Russian corvette Boikiy and accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev as they sailed towards the North Sea.
Mersey first intercepted the Russian vessels on entry to the Channel, taking over shadowing duties from NATO allies after they had monitored them through the Bay of Biscay.
Near the Isle of Wight, Severn and Mersey combined with the Wildcat to monitor the group in close coordination, utilising powerful sensors to gather valuable information and report on their movements.
Severn continued to keep watch on the Russians as they sailed into the North Sea before handing over responsibility for the group to a NATO ally as they continued their journey north.
Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns MP said: ‘With this operation, our sailors have once again sent a message to Putin – we know exactly what his navy is doing.
‘Every time a Russian ship comes near the UK, the Navy is ready to track, deter, and defend.
HMS Mersey and P282 HMS Severn shadow RFN Boikiy
Mersey first intercepted the Russian vessels on entry to the Channel, taking over shadowing duties from NATO allies
Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle, Commanding Officer of HMS Mersey, said: ‘In what has been a busy start to the year, this operation provided another opportunity for my ship’s company to demonstrate their continued readiness and ability to safeguard the United Kingdom’s maritime interests.
‘Operating in close coordination with our sister vessel HMS Severn and alongside other NATO allies has enabled the sharing of experience and best practice, further highlighting the strength and unique nature of the relationships between our nations.’
Lieutenant Commander Ross Gallagher, Senior Observer and Executive Officer of 815 NAS, added: ‘This activation once again demonstrated the extremely high readiness and professionalism that defines 815 Naval Air Squadron.
‘I am immensely proud of our engineers who keep our aircraft at peak performance, and our aircrew who deliver precise surveillance, rapid reporting, and tactical clarity at pace.
‘As Russian vessels transited the Channel, we kept the operational picture clear and seamlessly integrated with our colleagues in HMS Mersey and HMS Severn.
‘815 Naval Air Squadron is built for this level of responsiveness – highly trained, tightly coordinated, and always prepared to deliver the aviation capability that protects and safeguards the nation’s interests, all whilst supporting our NATO partners.’
The Russian vessels were returning from a deployment in the Mediterranean and were closely watched throughout their voyage by NATO warships.
In a separate operation in the Mediterranean, patrol boat HMS Dagger monitored the movements of the tanker Grinch, which was boarded by French forces.
The Russian vessels were returning from a deployment in the Mediterranean and were closely watched throughout their voyage by NATO warships
The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron vessel tracked the tanker – one of 544 vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet, which are subject to UK and European sanctions for their role in facilitating trade in sanctioned oil – through the Strait and also took photographs of the Grinch.
Britain’s Armed Forces routinely track and monitor suspected Russian shadow fleet activity in the vicinity of the UK and UK waters – and share this information with our allies and partners.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: ‘Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for this government.
‘I can confirm that the UK has provided tracking and monitoring in support of the French operation to board the tanker Grinch. This support included HMS Dagger monitoring the vessel through the Strait of Gibraltar.
‘Alongside our allies, we are stepping up our response to shadow vessels – to choke off the funds that fuel Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.’
The Royal Navy’s activations come just two weeks after HMS Mersey and a Wildcat from 815 NAS intercepted Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Severomorsk and the merchant vessels Sparta IV and MYS Zhelaniya in the North Sea.
The Royal Navy monitored the ships as they sailed through the Strait of Dover and the English Channel, before handing over monitoring duties to a NATO ally near the island of Ushant, off the coast of France, as the Russians continued a southbound voyage.
