Royal Navy warships and helicopter track Russian vessels in three-day operation
The Royal Navy conducted a three-day operation in the North Sea and English Channel to monitor Russian warships and sanctioned cargo vessels. This activity is part of an increased effort to track the Russian 'shadow fleet' and enforce international sanctions.
Why it matters
It highlights escalating maritime tensions between the UK and Russia and the ongoing enforcement of sanctions against Russian oil and gas revenue.
Image source, Ministry of Defence Image caption, HMS St Albans (bottom) monitors Russian vessel Admiral Levchenko.
Royal Navy warships and a helicopter spent three days tracking Russian Navy vessels and sanctioned cargo ships in an "intense" operation in the North Sea and English Channel.
HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn used radars to monitor four vessels last week, while a Merlin helicopter provided surveillance from the sky.
"Since that successful operation, we have seen Russian shadow fleet vessels increasingly forced to change their routes, imposing significant cost and delays to their journeys," Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, said.
It comes as data shows Royal Navy activity to monitor Russian movements is up 25% so far this year compared to 2025.
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