Royal Navy activations to monitor Russian vessels around the UK increased by 25% during the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, with ships dispatched on four operations involving Russian vessels during August alone, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The increase has coincided with repeated movements of Russian warships, auxiliary vessels and sanctioned commercial ships through the North Sea and English Channel.
The latest activity saw HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn conduct a concentrated 72-hour operation tracking Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko and sanctioned cargo vessels General Skobelev and Sparta.
A Merlin helicopter from HMS St Albans also joined the surveillance operation, while HMS Mersey separately monitored the Russian replenishment vessel Akademik Pashin.
The Ministry of Defence said Royal Navy ships had been activated on four operations to intercept or monitor Russian vessels during August. HMS Severn alone was dispatched three times during the month.
Its earlier missions included tracking the Russian frigate Neustrashimy through the Channel and subsequently working with HMS Tyne to monitor frigate Admiral Gorshkov, hydrographic vessel Romuald Muklevich and Akademik Pashin.
The rise in monitoring activity follows the UK’s interdiction of sanctioned tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in June.
First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said: “The interception of the Smyrtos was a clear demonstration that the UK and Royal Navy will act against those who seek to evade sanctions to fund Russia’s egregious war on Ukraine.”
According to Jenkins, Russian-linked vessels have subsequently altered some of their routes, while Moscow has also used naval vessels to accompany sanctioned shipping.
He said: “Since that successful operation, we have seen Russian shadow fleet vessels increasingly forced to change their routes, imposing significant cost and delays to their journeys.”
Jenkins added: “Alongside our allies, this approach is forcing Moscow to divert Russian warships away from their core purpose. That is because Russia knows we stand ready to act again, should it be required.”
The UK has sanctioned more than 500 vessels associated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a term commonly used for ships involved in transporting Russian oil and other cargoes while attempting to reduce their exposure to Western sanctions and regulatory controls. British authorities have increasingly linked maritime surveillance around the UK with enforcement of sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Jenkins said the Royal Navy would continue monitoring the activity. He said: “While this is a welcome development, we know there is no room for complacency. Shadow fleet vessels continue to pose an unacceptable risk to maritime security and the environment, wherever they sail.”
He added: “That is why we remain vigilant and will continue to work alongside allies to uphold and enforce international law.”
The most recent 72-hour operation involved a Type 45 destroyer, Type 23 frigate and River-class patrol vessel, with the Russian group tracked south through the North Sea and English Channel before responsibility was handed to a NATO ally near Ushant.
Commander Oli Ayers, Commanding Officer of HMS St Albans, said the frigate was operating as part of a wider NATO effort to monitor Russian naval and merchant movements.
He said: “As part of the UK’s response to increased Russian activity within UK waters, St Albans was part of a group of NATO warships and aircraft escorting Russian warships and merchant vessels through the North Sea and English Channel, monitoring their activity.”
The Ministry of Defence said the Royal Navy expects similar operations to continue over the coming months as Russian military and commercial vessels transit waters around the UK.
This has to be the slowest war in the history of mankind.