Royal Navy warships and RAF jets have been actively shadowing Russian vessels and aircraft near UK waters, in a series of operations aimed at protecting national security, according to a Ministry of Defence press release on 12 September 2024.
HMS Iron Duke and HMS Tyne monitored four Russian naval ships as they passed through the Channel and North Sea.
Meanwhile, RAF Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept two Russian Bear-F maritime patrol aircraft approaching the UK’s area of interest. Supported by a Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton, the Typhoons were launched under NATO command and worked in coordination with allies. The Russian planes did not enter UK airspace.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This government is committed to making the UK secure at home and strong abroad. Efforts by the Royal Navy and RAF over the last two weeks demonstrate their selfless commitment to protecting our national security.”
The Royal Navy began its operation at the start of September, with HMS Iron Duke first shadowing the Russian Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk and its supporting tug Evgeny Churov through the Dover Strait and into the Atlantic. The Canadian warship HMCS Shawinigan initially escorted the Russian vessels across the North Sea before handing over duties to HMS Iron Duke.
Once the Russian vessels had passed through UK waters, the monitoring duties were taken over by the French Navy. HMS Iron Duke was then deployed back to the North Sea to shadow the Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoiky and tanker MT Yaz, continuing the pattern of close observation.
Throughout both encounters, UK forces ensured that the Russian warships and their support vessels were monitored to maintain maritime security.
The Russian vessels were permitted to pass under international law, but their movements were carefully tracked to ensure they acted safely and without threat.
Commander David Armstrong, Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke, praised his crew’s efforts: “These were the fourth and fifth such operations for HMS Iron Duke since we emerged from a period of intense training in July, and I am extremely proud of the professionalism and selfless dedication that my ship’s company consistently display as they perform their duty.”
Putin has gone on live TV in Russia stating if any long range NATO supplied weapons land in Russia this will be an act of war.
Hmmmm. Meanwhile the UK armed forces are doing what to prepare or be prepared for the inevitable conflict that could be just days away?
We are not going to war just because Putin went on TV.
Putin wouldn’t dare
Afternoon Klonkie, I thought Putin (the real version) was meant to be sick and have cancer of some sorts but he seems to be quite well so he must be getting very good treatment?
Hey Q, how are things? I do wish he would just sod off into self imposed exile. Someplace like Iran or North Korea can have him, seeing as they are such cosy mates. Truly. he is an evil piece of work.
Well we know where his kilo class sub is. It’s got a tug holding it up to stop it sinking.
We don’t have one hunter killer sub at sea , there all in dock awaiting repairs . Bit rich your statement was considering we have none at sea
I could see how that would be an issue if we had illegally invaded another country or if we was at war. But we are in neither of them scenarios so I’m sure we will be fine.
We don’t have enough of anything apart from diversity managers and nothing is repaired apart from the diversity managers various keyboards
What hypocrisy on a grand scale! What’s the continued invasion and shelling of Ukraine called then? It’s a daily “act of war” and they’ll be expected retaliation. I think Ukraine might have over done the Kursk bit and still need resources to push out the Russian’s out of Donesk, Donna’s, Luhansk and Crimea and get a fuller access to the Asov which is going to be a bloody tough ask.
Don’t you think we should give Northern Ireland back then ??
Give Northern Ireland back to who comrade?
The Irish ya muppet , the majority of the island wanted independence so the hole of the island should be independent
Ok Tomski clearly you’re not the sharpest pencil in the box so let’s start with a few basics. It’s Irish you muppet not Irish ya muppet. Now try this one. It’s the whole of the island not the hole of the island. Now repeat that back to me so I know you understand comrade.
Give back? To whom? It’s ours. We created Eire for those Irish that wanted separation from the UK and kept the rest of the area for those who wanted to atay
putin also went on tv in feb 2022 and said he wasnt going to invade ukraine and that was all USA made up lies. who cares what that POS says anymore. you and i both know russia wouldn’t actually dare attack NATO seeing as they’re currently busy being occupied by the ukrainian army lol.
The USA and UK were telling everyone who would listen, almost nobody did.
We were right. Nobody seems to remember that fact!
Cutting back on personnel and stopping defence research so we can afford more illegal immigrants and murderers hotel costs…. Russia is sponsoring these illegal crossings and there are far more than we know about. The young men sent to us are being sent to create an uprising when Russia wants
George, why are there TWO reports about the same Russian aircraft and ships? Including the same comments from John Healy?
It’s happened several times before.
This is actually counterproductive for Russia as it increases the pressure on Starmer to overrule Reeves and increase the UK’s defence budget from 2.2 to 2.5 per cent of GDP as early as 2025/26. That will mean an increase in the MODs budget of about £4 billion, hardly a game changer but enough to plug the current shortfall in the equipment budget, avoid expected cuts, start to seriously replenish arms stockpiles, and perhaps even allow the current Strategic Defence Review to make some recommendations that involve spending.
Happens every day, nothing new
Well, no, it happens every other month but my apologies, who said this hadn’t happened before?
Where is the Home Fleet when you need it?
The Russians can send 4 ships, thats more than the royal navy has, they have enough to send a couple of hundred on exercise even while losing more in the black sea than we have had in the last 20 years from an economy we claims a fraction the size of ours
Funny how the PRC can’t cope sanely with anyone in international waters around their illegal, annexed, artificial SCS islands that they destroyed coral reefs to make. Aggressive threats & bullying is a juvenille, insecure playbook.