A Russian warship and a sanctioned oil tanker was shadowed by a Royal Navy warship and helicopter for 48 hours in the English Channel.
HMS Mersey, based in Portsmouth, and a Wildcat helicopter were scrambled to monitor the Russian Steregushchiy-class frigate RFN Soobrazitelny and tanker MV Anatoly Kolodkin.
A Royal Navy spokesman said the operation was co-ordinated with NATO, adding: “Patrol ship Mersey and the Yeovilton-based Wildcat kept close watch, utilising powerful radars and sensors to gather valuable intelligence, as the two Russian vessels sailed westward through the English Channel.
“The two Russian ships separated at the western end of the Channel, with the Royal Navy tracking Soobrazitelny back eastwards through the Channel as the Anatoly Kolodkin continued to sail into the Atlantic.”
It has not been revealed when the incident took place.
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Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle, commanding officer of HMS Mersey, said: “This operation provides a clear example of Mersey’s readiness and operational capability in monitoring Russian vessel movements through our waters.
“Our co-ordination with allied forces further amplifies our situational awareness and response capacity, ensuring we are able to safeguard the integrity of our maritime environment.”
Fleet commander Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse said: “In an increasingly contested and uncertain world, the work of HMS Mersey and 815 Naval Air Squadron is another example of the Royal Navy’s enduring commitment to protecting UK home waters.”
The news comes two weeks after the Royal Navy shadowed two sanctioned Russian cargo ships, and their escorting warships, in UK waters from the Mediterranean to the North Sea.
HMS Tyne, based in Portsmouth, and a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, were tasked with monitoring Russian Navy Ropucha-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovsky and merchant vessel Sparta IV.
Then, 48 hours later, Tyne and a Wildcat were again scrambled to track another Russian Ropucha-class warship, Aleksandr Shabalin, and cargo vessel MV Sabetta as they sailed westward through the English Channel.
