Royal Navy tracks Russian ships in UK waters

The Royal Navy conducted an intense 72-hour operation last week to track a Russian destroyer and a group of sanctioned cargo vessels as they transited through British waters, in a significant display of maritime surveillance amid heightened Russian activity in the region.

The operation, which began on August 21, involved the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, the Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans, and the patrol vessel HMS Severn. These warships shadowed the Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko as it escorted the sanctioned cargo ships General Skobelev and Sparta south through the North Sea and into the English Channel. A Merlin helicopter operating from HMS St Albans extended surveillance as the task group approached the Strait of Dover.

In response to the monitoring, Russia deployed additional military resources, including the frigate Neustrashimy, to accompany the vessels. UK officials described the shipment as illegal. After closely observing the group for three days, the Royal Navy handed over monitoring duties to a NATO ally near the French island of Ushant.

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins stated there was no room for complacency, as shadow fleet vessels continue to pose an...