The Royal Navy has disclosed it maintained a continuous, three-month surveillance operation on Russian warships navigating UK waters, including a frigate that fired a warning shot at a British yacht.
Five naval vessels were deployed to track the Admiral Grigorovich, the ship involved in the 16 June incident with the Bright Future yacht south of the Isle of Wight.
A Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed the frigate’s presence in the Channel across several periods: 30 April to 4 May, 8 to 12 May, and 22 to 28 May.
He said: “Royal Navy warships and helicopters have maintained an unbroken watch on Russian frigates and their accompanying vessels in UK waters for nearly three months – and that vigil continues today.
“Patrol ships HMS Tyne, Ledbury, Severn, Mersey and Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland tracked the Russian navy’s Admiral Grigorovich throughout May and into June.
“This followed a concerted effort in April, when Royal Navy ships or aircraft monitored the Russian warship every single day.”
The yacht incident came two days after Russian shadow fleet tanker MV Smyrtos was seized on 14 June.
The Navy spokesman said: “Green berets from 42 Commando, alongside specially-trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency, boarded the vessel Smyrtos in a six-hour mission supported by HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury, Merlin Mk4s from the Commando Helicopter Force, Wildcat helicopters, and RAF Chinooks and P8 Poseidon aircraft.”
Minister for the armed forces Louise Sandher-Jones said: “The Royal Navy is on watch every hour of every day, protecting our waters and helping to keep the UK secure.
“As Russian naval activity around the UK continues, our sailors and aircrew have worked alongside Nato allies and Ireland to track, monitor and deter vessels operating near our shores.
“I pay tribute to the men and women who carry out this vital work every day. Their professionalism sends a clear message: we are always on watch, and we will always defend our nation, our waters and our critical infrastructure.”
Royal Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, said: “In recent months, the Royal Navy has worked tirelessly to safeguard UK waters in response to increased Russian naval activity.
“Our sailors, ships and aircraft have maintained a constant watch, helping to protect the UK’s security and reassure our allies.
“Their professionalism, dedication and teamwork demonstrate the Royal Navy’s ability to respond quickly to emerging challenges with Nato partners to keep our seas safe and secure.”
The Navy spokesman said the monitoring operation also included HMS Tyne observing the Grigorovich “conduct a raft-up with Russian Amur-class supply ship PM-82 near the Galloper Wind Farm off the coast of Suffolk”.
He said: “The supply ship operates as a floating workshop capable of transferring fuel and stores to Russian warships.”
He added that Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset intercepted the Yury Ivanov, a Russian navy intelligence-gathering ship.
The spokesman said: “The operation was conducted alongside other Nato warships and supported by maritime patrol aircraft and vessels from the Irish Defence Forces, ensuring continuous monitoring of the vessel’s movements.”
He added: “Somerset was subsequently tasked to sail from the Isles of Scilly to shadow the Ropucha-class Landing Ship Transport Aleksander Shabalin and the tanker MV Mikhail Britnev through the English Channel – the latest chapter in a sustained maritime surveillance mission.”
