The UK Armed Forces are on patrol from the English Channel to the High North amid increased Russian activity that is threatening British waters.
In the last two weeks, Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Severn intercepted Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya off the UK coast, in a round-the-clock shadowing operation as the Russian vessels sailed through the Dover Strait and westward through the English Channel.
HMS Severn then handed over monitoring duties to a Nato ally off the coast of Brittany, but it continued to observe from a distance, remaining ready to respond to any unexpected activity.
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.”
The UK has seen a 30 per cent increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the past two years.
On Wednesday, the Defence Secretary confirmed that Russian spy ship Yantar – used for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables – was operating on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland.
In a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Defence Secretary said: “We see you. We know what you are doing. And we are ready.”
More to follow.
