'On watch every hour of every day': Royal Navy shadows Russian warships for almost three months straight

Keen-eyed Royal Navy warships and helicopters have shadowed Russian activities for nearly three months straight.

Personnel have run into several high-profile encounters with Moscow vessels, with many of the patrol ships tasked with shadowing them based in Portsmouth. HMS Tyne, Ledbury, Severn, and Mersey - joined by the Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland - tracked the Russian Navy frigate Admiral Grigorovich throughout May and into June.

This followed a concerted effort in April which saw where Royal Navy ships or aircraft monitored the Moscow warship every day throughout the month. Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: “The Royal Navy is on watch every hour of every day, protecting our waters and helping to keep the UK secure.

“As Russian naval activity around the UK continues, our sailors and aircrew have worked alongside NATO allies and Ireland to track, monitor and deter vessels operating near our shores. I pay tribute to the men and women who carry out this vital work every day. Their professionalism sends a clear message: we are always on watch, and we will always defend our nation, our waters and our critical infrastructure.”

RFN Admiral Grigorovich fired warning shots at a British yacht, named Bright Future, in the English Channel days before escorting a shadow fleet tanker carrying sanctioned cargo. The ship’s company aboard HMS Tyne checked on the couple aboard, and then proceeded to spend the next five days monitoring Grigorovich’s movements.

The ship was was present in the Channel from 30 April to 4 May, 8 to 12 May, and 22 to 28 May. Royal Navy assets spent 25 days of the month shadowing her, along with two other Russian ships and three tankers. Royal Marines Commandos then boarded the sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker MV Smyrtos. She was carrying 98,000 tonnes of oil when she was intercepted.

Personnel from 42 Commando - alongside specially-trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency - were involved in the six-hour operation. They were supported by HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury, Merlin Mk4s from the Commando Helicopter Force, Wildcat helicopters, RAF Chinooks, and P8 Poseidon aircraft.

Royal Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, said: “In recent months, the Royal Navy has worked tirelessly to safeguard UK waters in response to increased Russian naval activity.

“Our sailors, ships and aircraft have maintained a constant watch, helping to protect the UK’s security and reassure our allies. Their professionalism, dedication and teamwork demonstrate the Royal Navy’s ability to respond quickly to emerging challenges with NATO partners to keep our seas safe and secure.”

Sign up for The Week in Defence with Freddie Webb - our newsletter rounding up the sector’s must-read stories

HMS Tyne also observed RFN Admiral Grigorovich conduct a raft-up with Russian Amur-class supply ship PM-82 near the Galloper Wind Farm off the coast of Suffolk. The supply ship operates as a floating workshop capable of transferring fuel and stores to Russian warships. The wind farm, 30km off the coast of Harwich, consists of 56 turbines providing power for more than 400,000 homes.

Lieutenant Commander Sam Fields, Commanding Officer for HMS Tyne, said: “I am extremely proud of my ship’s company, who have maintained a persistent presence in UK waters to the highest standard during an exceptionally busy period for offshore patrol vessels. HMS Tyne and her sister ships remain on watch 24 hours a day, ready to act decisively whenever required.”

HMS Somerset departed Dublin ahead of schedule to respond to the presence of a Russian naval vessel operating within the UK and Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Royal Navy frigate was tasked to intercept the Yury Ivanov, a Russian Navy intelligence-gathering ship. The operation was conducted alongside other NATO warships and supported by maritime patrol aircraft and vessels from the Irish Defence Forces, ensuring continuous monitoring of the vessel’s movements.

Commander Matt Millyard, HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer, said: “The UK is working closely with our Irish partners to ensure the security and integrity of our shared maritime domain, on which our economies rely so heavily, and it has been great to develop this relationship while the ship has alongside in Dublin.”

HMS Somerset was subsequently tasked to sail from the Isles of Scilly to shadow the Ropucha-class Landing Ship Transport Aleksander Shabalin and the tanker MV Mikhail Britnev through the English Channel.