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Royal Navy activated twice in two weeks to intercept Russian ships in UK waters
24 November 2025
The Royal Navy carried out two interceptions in a fortnight of Russian vessels in UK waters – including monitoring an intelligence gathering vessel.
Plymouth-based HMS Somerset shadowed Russian research ship Yantar in the North Sea and kept watch round-the-clock for eight days as the vessel sailed northwards towards the Faroe Islands.
Type 23 frigate Somerset worked closely with NATO allies, employing a range of powerful sensors and radars to report on every move.
As Yantar lingered in UK’s wider waters, its crew directed lasers at the RAF P-8 pilots tracking it in a reckless and dangerous act. While tracking Yantar, Somerset and other civilian ships in the area experienced GPS jamming in a further demonstration of unprofessional behaviour, intended to be disruptive and a nuisance. HMS Somerset’s combat capabilities were not affected.
HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Matt Millyard, said: “HMS Somerset has spent the last year operating in the North Atlantic, protecting the UK’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent, and defending the Exclusive Economic Zone.
“The Royal Navy always has a ship held at notice to conduct these missions and HMS Somerset has been called upon to shadow the Yantar on two occasions this year as it entered UK waters. In the most recent operation HMS Somerset, working alongside RAF maritime patrol aircraft, maintained 24-hour surveillance of the Yantar to provide evidence of their activities.”
Patrol ship HMS Severn meanwhile was dispatched to monitor Russian Steregushchiy-class corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya off the UK coast, joining allies in a 24-hour shadowing operation as the Russian vessels sailed through the Dover Strait and westward through the English Channel.
Portsmouth-based Severn subsequently handed over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany, continuing to observe from a distance and remaining poised to react in the event of any unexpected activity.
The Russian ships passed through UK waters without incident and followed recognised maritime routes.
Both operations are routine for the Royal Navy but are nonetheless essential for the continuing security of the UK.
Commander Grant Dalgleish, HMS Severn's Commanding Officer, said: "This tasking shows the value of our patrol ships and reinforces the Royal Navy's close liaison with our NATO allies in safeguarding the British people and protecting the internationally recognised waterways.
"I'm immensely proud of the way the ship's company reacted to this activation, especially coming so quickly after a demanding period of regeneration and operational training."
HMS Severn has recently returned to front-line duties after extensive training and trials of new equipment in waters of the South Coast.
Following a brief visit to Zeebrugge in Belgium, the ship underwent two weeks of Operational Sea Training in October to be ready to rejoin the fleet.
Sailors were put through a range of emergencies and operational scenarios, from fires and floods to providing assistance to other ships and rapid intelligence gathering.
“This has equipped us as a team to prepare for all eventualities we may face as a front-line unit, including escort operations,” said Lieutenant Calum McGill, the ship’s First Lieutenant.
“After two weeks of exercises we didn’t think we’d do it for real so soon – but that’s the exciting nature of Homeland Defence tasking.”
Once her work shadowing the Russians was complete, Severn headed to Falmouth for a scheduled maintenance as they prepare for further operations.
This latest shadowing operation comes less than a month after HMS Duncan was activated alongside naval helicopters to watch the movements of Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov and frigate HMS Iron Duke was dispatched to monitor Russian Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk.
It was the second time this year Yantar has been tracked by the Royal Navy. Back in January, HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne shadowed the research ship through the English Channel and Dover Strait.