Royal Navy patrol ship monitors Russian vessel through English Channel

Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Forth is today monitoring the progress of a Russian vessel through the English Channel and Dover Strait.

HMS Forth had just returned to UK waters from her first foreign port visit when she was called upon to shadow the Russian patrol ship Vasily Bykov.

Forth had departed Gibraltar on July 31, before heading north at speed and conducting heavy weather trials before a quick logistics stop in Devonport.

She then sailed and positioned herself ready to meet the Vasily Bykov as the vessel sailed from the North Sea having taken part in Russia’s Navy Days celebration in St Petersburg.

HMS Forth’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Samuel Fields, said: “It has been a particularly busy time for HMS Forth as we generate for deployed operations and continue to test our ship’s capabilities.

“I am proud of the ship’s company for rising to this additional challenge.”

The Vasily Bykov was previously shadowed by HMS Forth through the UK’s area of interest only last month.

HMS Forth now continues to prepare for her upcoming deployment to the Falkland Islands later this year where she will replace HMS Clyde as the Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel.

Until then, she remains one of the Royal Navy’s high-readiness units able to conduct maritime security operations in UK waters to help keep Britain safe.

She may be called upon at any time to help prevent arms trafficking, people smuggling, conduct counter-terrorism operations, maritime search and rescue, or monitoring duties.