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Royal Navy monitors Russian ships in UK waters
25 March 2025
The Royal Navy has monitored a Russian survey ship and a task group in UK waters.
The UK deployed minehunter HMS Cattistock and a Wildcat helicopter to shadow the oceanographic survey ship, Admiral Vladimirskiy, during its voyage through the Strait of Dover and the English Channel.
The British minehunter first reported on the Russian ship’s movements in the southern North Sea and worked closely with the helicopter to keep a constant watch through busy shipping lanes until the vessel exited the Channel just west of the Brest peninsula.
This operation was followed quickly by another, as Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and tanker RFA Tidesurge were deployed to escort Russian landing ship, RFN Alexander Otrakovsky, and merchant vessel, MV Ascalon, through the Channel and North Sea, as the pair sailed towards the Baltic.
The two Russian ships had recently departed the Mediterranean and were watched closely by HMS Somerset and her Merlin helicopter.
These operations highlight the Royal Navy’s commitment to securing the UK’s waters and areas of interest. Protecting our national security is essential to supporting economic growth, protecting trade routes and helping to ensure a secure and stable economy.
HMS Cattistock’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Rob Garner, said: “Cattistock has escorted a number of Russian warships and government-owned vessels through UK waters in recent weeks and months, demonstrating the Royal Navy’s operational readiness and steadfast commitment to UK security at sea.
“I am extremely proud of my ship’s company’s professionalism and determination to get the job done as we continue to work closely with other Royal Navy ships and aircraft, the RAF P8 force and fellow NATO navies.”
These latest operations follow a similar mission last week which saw Royal Navy warships and helicopters work closely with RAF P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to track a Russian task group returning from Syria.
HMS Somerset has been activated to monitor Russian convoys returning from the Mediterranean three times in the past month alone and recently visited Aberdeen to refuel for their latest mission.
Commanding Officer, Commander Joel Roberts, said: “Somerset has been frequently activated to conduct this type of operation given the tempo of Russian activity around the United Kingdom’s territorial and sensitive waters.
“In maintaining units at very high readiness to respond, the Royal Navy offers presence, deterrence, persistence, flexibility and can deliver or facilitate a range of military and diplomatic options to support our national objectives.
“The team in Somerset remains focused, continues to integrate widely with our NATO allies, and are using a range of strategically located UK-based services and infrastructure to sustain the ship on operations.”