UK Navy shadows Russian warships through English Channel

Royal Navy warships and aircraft were activated to shadow Russian naval vessels during a two-day operation in the English Channel, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed, as Russian forces transited waters near Britain en route to the North Sea.

Portsmouth-based patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn were deployed alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron to monitor the Russian corvette Boikiy and the accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev. The vessels were tracked as they entered the Channel after being monitored by NATO allies through the Bay of Biscay.

HMS Mersey first intercepted the Russian group on entry to the Channel, taking over shadowing duties from allied ships. As the vessels approached the Isle of Wight, HMS Severn joined the operation, operating in close coordination with HMS Mersey and the embarked Wildcat helicopter to maintain continuous surveillance of the Russian transit.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the ships and aircraft used onboard sensors and airborne surveillance to gather information and maintain a detailed operational picture of the Russian movements. HMS Severn continued tracking the vessels as they sailed into the North Sea, before responsibility was formally handed over to a NATO ally as the group continued its northbound journey.

“With this operation, our sailors have once again sent a message to Putin – we know exactly what his navy is doing. Every time a Russian ship comes near the UK, the Navy is ready to track, deter, and defend,” Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns MP said in a statement. “I want to pay tribute to the professionalism of our personnel who work 24/7, 365 days a year to keep our nation safe.”

Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle, Commanding Officer of HMS Mersey, said the activation demonstrated the Royal Navy’s readiness during an active operational period. “In what has been a busy start to the year, this operation provided another opportunity for my Ship’s Company to demonstrate their continued readiness and ability to safeguard the United Kingdom’s maritime interests,” he said.

“Operating in close coordination with our sister vessel HMS Severn and alongside other NATO allies has enabled the sharing of experience and best practice, further highlighting the strength and unique nature of the relationships between our nations,” Wardle added.

A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron provided aerial surveillance throughout the transit, supporting surface vessels with real-time reporting and monitoring. Lieutenant Commander Ross Gallagher, Senior Observer and Executive Officer of 815 NAS, said the operation showed the squadron’s ability to respond at short notice.

“This activation once again demonstrated the extremely high readiness and professionalism that defines 815 Naval Air Squadron,” Gallagher said. “I am immensely proud of our engineers who keep our aircraft at peak performance, and our aircrew who deliver precise surveillance, rapid reporting, and tactical clarity at pace.”

“As Russian vessels transited the Channel, we kept the operational picture clear and seamlessly integrated with our colleagues in HMS Mersey and HMS Severn,” he added. “815 Naval Air Squadron is built for this level of responsiveness — highly trained, tightly coordinated, and always prepared to deliver the aviation capability that protects and safeguards the nation’s interests all whilst supporting our NATO partners.”

The Russian corvette and tanker were returning from a deployment in the Mediterranean and were tracked by NATO warships throughout their voyage. The Royal Navy said such activations form part of routine maritime security operations designed to ensure awareness of foreign military activity near UK waters and maintain freedom of navigation alongside allied forces.

The operation follows a pattern of increased NATO monitoring of Russian naval movements in and around the North Atlantic and European sea lanes, with the Royal Navy regularly assigned to shadowing duties when Russian ships approach UK-controlled waters or transit strategic chokepoints.