Royal Navy warship HMS Trent and a Wildcat helicopter have shadowed Russian naval vessels passing through UK waters during a five-day operation, in coordination with NATO allies.
The Portsmouth-based offshore patrol vessel monitored the Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov as it transited past Great Yarmouth, following it westward through the Channel towards Ushant.
At the same time, a NATO partner nation tracked two Russian tankers making their way east. The vessels met off the island of Ushant before turning back east through the Channel, with Trent continuing to shadow their movements.
The Ministry of Defence said the tasking formed part of wider NATO efforts in the North Atlantic to monitor Russian naval activity, underlining the UK’s role in safeguarding key waters and undersea infrastructure.
A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, joined the operation, deploying advanced sensors to provide air support and surveillance of the Russian ships.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said: “Russian warships are increasingly sailing through the English Channel, and the Royal Navy stands ready to monitor them, safeguarding our waters and undersea cables. The Royal Navy’s unwavering dedication and professionalism are vital to protecting the UK and the Government remains committed to equipping our Armed Forces to keep us secure at home and strong abroad.”
HMS Trent’s executive officer, Lt Cdr Paul Kilbride, who is in temporary command, stressed the operation’s significance:
“This is routine business for the Royal Navy and is a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the UK’s territorial waters. This operation was multi-national and had HMS Trent operating with several of our European NATO allies demonstrating our interoperability with other nations and providing a deterrence inside UK waters.
It is a rare opportunity for a forward deployed Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel to conduct this type of operation in UK waters and I am immensely proud of the dedication and professionalism of my ship’s company. We are now looking ahead to continuing our regeneration to get back to operations in the Caribbean later in the year.”
Trent has recently returned to UK waters for the first time in four years, following sustained operations in the Mediterranean and West Africa, along with a maintenance period in Malta. The ship is preparing for deployment to the Caribbean later this year.
The patrol vessel and Wildcat were also supported by warships, patrol aircraft and helicopters from NATO allies, reflecting a coordinated approach to Russian naval activity in European waters.
