The Royal Navy has shadowed Russian naval and merchant vessels transiting near UK waters as part of wider NATO monitoring activity across the North Atlantic, according to the Royal Navy.
Portsmouth-based offshore patrol vessel HMS Tyne and a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron were deployed to monitor the Russian Navy Ropucha-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovsky and the merchant vessel Sparta IV during their voyage through the Atlantic, the English Channel and into the North Sea.
According to the Royal Navy, HMS Tyne used onboard sensors and radar to track the ships’ movements while the Wildcat helicopter conducted a surveillance sortie over the Channel to provide additional monitoring.
The vessels were initially intercepted by HMS Cutlass of the Royal Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron as they transited the Strait of Gibraltar before being tracked north by an allied warship. HMS Tyne later assumed monitoring duties in the Atlantic approaches to the Channel.
A second operation followed shortly afterwards, when HMS Tyne and a Wildcat helicopter were again activated to track another Russian Ropucha-class landing ship, Aleksandr Shabalin, alongside the cargo vessel MV Sabetta as they moved west through the English Channel.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the activity demonstrated the UK’s continued focus on monitoring Russian movements. “I am proud of everything that our exceptional Armed Forces are doing to keep Britain safe – both around the UK and on deployments overseas.”
He added: “While our UK forces are in action in the Middle East to protect British people, British interests and our partners, this operation sends a warning to Putin: we are watching you. Iran’s dangerous indiscriminate attacks will not distract us from deterring Russia and supporting Ukraine. We are ready to track, deter and defend our nation.”
HMS Tyne’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Matt Cavill, said the mission formed part of the UK’s routine maritime security operations. “Maintaining the security of our Island Nation is paramount to ensuring we can project a global presence.”
He added: “Operations such as these are vital to demonstrate resolve, protect our waters and gain intelligence to support future operations.”
Commander James Woods, Commanding Officer of 815 Naval Air Squadron, said the deployment highlighted the readiness of naval aviation units supporting maritime security tasks. “This activation demonstrated the professionalism, speed and effectiveness that 815 Naval Air Squadron brings to operations at home and abroad.”
He added that the Wildcat helicopter provides persistent surveillance and maritime strike capabilities. “Wildcat remains a potent maritime strike platform, providing a visible and persistent presence at sea.”
“ Aleksandr Shabalin, alongside the cargo vessel MV Sabetta”. Is the MV Sabetta a sanctioned vessel? Are the Russians frightened we will board her?
I sound like a broken record, but that ship should have had a Frigate shadowing her, not an OPV with a 30mm. Or at the very least, perhaps a mention that some form of RAF plane with a Paveway or something was around… Feels like we’re too short of crew and we’re not a country of 5 Million, we’ve got 12x that. Plenty to support all the ships in our tiny navy.