Russia

‘Glaring’ gaps’ in the Royal Navy fleet will make the UK more vulnerable to attacks from Russia in the High North. Pictured: Admiral Levchenko with HMS Duncan (left) and HMS St Albans (right).

'Glaring gaps' in Royal Navy fleet leaves UK exposed to Russia attack

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Royal Navy sailor Teddy Young appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he was charged with engaging in conduct preparatory to the commission of an offence under the National Security Act 2023 and a second allegation of obtaining, accepting or retaining material benefit from a designated body. Picture date: Thursday October 8, 2026.

Royal Navy sailor in court charged with spying for Russia

Royal Marines from the UK Commando Force conduct boarding training on Faroese fishing vessel, Gotunes FD 950 during Ex LION PROTECTOR 26 in the Faroe Islands.

'Credible deterrence': Marines conduct huge ops amid Russia tensions

The Windracers ULTRA drone, built in Fareham and used on the frontline in Ukraine, completed a landmark trial in Alaska delivering anti-doping medical samples.

Drone used on Ukraine frontline braves Alaska cold in transport trial

A GV of HMNB Portsmouth, the Royal Navy base in Portsmouth. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (160425)

'Rogue drones' target UK military sites hundreds of times

First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins said the Royal Navy needs more ships and drones to be able to deal with the growing threat from Russia.

First Sea Lord calls to rebuild Royal Navy to fight Russia

HMS Queen Elizabeth sailing from Portsmouth over the weekend. First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has highlighted the increasing threat Russia poses in the North Atlantic and High North.

First Sea Lord highlights Russia threat to Nato amid carrier op

UK factories making drones for Ukraine, including Windracers in Fareham, have been labelled as potential targets for attack from “unknown sources”.

Russia advisor says Fareham factory and others could face attack

Sailors have been enjoying time with their loved ones out on the Solent aboard the River-class offshore patrol vessel HMS Tyne.

Pictures: HMS Tyne families day sees loved ones sail after Russia ops

A specialised spy plane has been deployed to Norway after increased activity from Russia. Pictured: 51 Squadron from Rivet Joint based at RAF Waddington and F-35s from Norwegian Air Force taking off on Exercise Arctic Stone in Norway on August 18, 2026.

'Specialised' RAF spy plane deployed after Russia ops against navy

HMS Duncan returned to Portsmouth on Friday, July 24, 2026, after completing phase one of Operation Firecrest.

HMS Duncan leaves base for first time since Nato deployment

RFS Neustrashimy spotted near British waters with the Royal Navy being deployed to monitor the Russian frigate.

Navy scrambled as Russian frigate seen conducting gunnery exercises

A commitment is needed to boost the Royal Navy after Vladimir Putin's recent threats against British ships, with HMS Spey and Tamar vulnerable.

'Extraordinary': Royal Navy commitment needed after Putin threats

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting onboard the Russian Navy's guided missile cruiser Varyag during the final stage of a Pacific Fleet's naval drills on far eastern Sakhalin Island on August 12, 2026. He said British ships will be seized following recent actions by European nations.

'Piracy': Putin threatens to seize UK ships in response to 'raids'

42 Commando of the UK Commando force conducting maritime interdiction operations on CMR Smyrtos sailing under a false Cameroonian flag.

Fresh sanctions slapped on Russia as shadow fleet ships named - list

Prime minster Andy Burnham meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Ukraine president hails 'principled' UK action against Russia
Exercise Sea Breeze saw British and Ukrainian personnel stand shoulder to shoulder with each other
Freddie Webb

An F-35B fighter launched from HMS Prince of Wales intercept a Russian Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, NATO name 'Bear'.

Reflective HMS Prince of Wales sailor recalls Russia aircraft incident

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Ajay Pant, captain of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Smyrtos, appearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court by videolink from Bournemouth police station.

Trial date set for Russia ship captain set after Royal Marines raid

A Neustrashimy-class Russian warship conducted a live gunnery exercise 40 miles from the British coast.

Russia warship conducts 'live-fire weapons exercise' near coast

An F-35B fighter jet launched from HMS Prince of Wales intercept a Russian Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, NATO name 'Bear'.

Russia aircraft flies 'unnecessarily close' to HMS Prince of Wales

Portsmouth-based patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn were dispatched alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron to intercept Russian corvette Boikiy and accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev as they sailed towards the North Sea.

'On watch every day': Navy shadows Russia ships for nearly 3 months

British armed forces intercepting a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours.

'Why?': Nefarious Russia ship in Channel weeks before being seized

A highly-anticipated Nato plenary will be taking place in Portsmouth next week. Pictured: A view of HMNB Portsmouth.

Nato event set to make UK 'resilient to the threat of Russia'

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Ajay Pant, captain of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Smyrtos, appearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court by videolink from Bournemouth police station.

Man in custody after charge with 'breaching Russian sanctions'

Royal marines boarding the sanctioned ship.

Sanctioned Russia ship funding wars formally detained

British armed forces intercepting a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Royal Marine commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency boarded a sanctioned oil tanker during a six-hour operation - the first UK-led operation of its kind.

'Blow to Russia' as man arrested on Russia vessel boarded by Commandos

Conservative MP David Reed has criticised the Royal Navy's role in just supporting French forces who seized a Russian-flagged tanker. He argues they should be directly boarded these vessels.

Tory MP brands Royal Navy not seizing Russian ships as 'weakness'
His reaction drew scorn from the defence secretary in the House of Commons
Freddie Webb

Royal Navy aviators helped support the French Navy in boarding a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Atlantic Ocean.

British forces help French Navy seize Russian ship 'violating' the law

A deal has been struck between the UK and Sweden to build components for Gripen fighter jets, with the aircraft being donated to Ukraine to bolster its war effort against Russia. Pictured: Swedish Air Force Saab Gripen fighter jets fly over Helsingborg, Sweden, on May 21, 2026.

Advanced radar built in Fareham to equip Ukraine fighter jets

An RAF jet carrying defence secretary John Healey has its GPS jammed near the Russian border. Pictured: Image of a Russian Su-35, seen here alongside an RAF Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea in April 2026, a previously incident.

RAF jet carrying MP has GPS signal jammed near Russia

HMS Prince of Wales sailing alongside HMS Duncan as they are set to take part in Exercise Dynamic Mongoose.

'Demanding' Nato exercise to begin as Royal Navy set to face 'threats'

Foreground HMS MERSEY, background RFN Admiral Grigorovich FFG-494 & RFN Kilo SSK

Dozens of Russia shadow fleet vessels enter UK waters after PM warning

Foreground RFN Admiral Grigorovich FFG-494 , background RFA Tideforce

Royal Navy 'swiftly' deployed to stalk Russian ships for a month

First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins alongside the Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow.

First Sea Lord determined to leave Royal Navy in 'stronger' position

Royal Navy Commander Oli Ayers has been appointed the new Commanding Officer of HMS St Albans, replacing Commander Matthew Teare.

New Commanding Officer for HMS St Albans after Russian spy sub op

A Merlin from 814 Naval Air Squadron takes part in monitoring operations with HMS Somerset and St Albans. A crucial meeting is being held to bolster UK allied defences against Russia.

Crucial Royal Navy meeting to 'protect our people' from Russia

A total of 50 high-skilled jobs have been created by Windracers expanding its factory, with more expected next year. The company is supporting the government’s biggest ever drone package for Ukraine to fight against Russia.

'Proud' drone firm bolsters UK's biggest ever Ukraine support package

Armed forces minister Al Carns speaking to parliament.

UK urged to 'meet and resist' Putin's spy submarines

Chief of the Defence Staff at the Ministry of Defence Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the Royal Navy is ready to seize Russian shadow fleet ships.

'We are ready': Royal Navy prepared to seize Russia shadow fleet ships

Handout composite image issued by the Ministry of Defence showing of surface and sub-surface GUGI-associated vessels based at Olenya Guba in Russia. A defence expert has called for a higher cost to be inflicted on Putin following the incident.

Expert calls for 'higher cost' on Putin after spy submarine incident

The Royal Navy have reportedly been “blocked” from seizing Russian shadow fleet vessels. Pictured: HMS Somerset and HMS St Albans tracks Severomorsk

Royal Navy 'blocked from boarding Russian shadow fleet vessels'

A Merlin from 814 Naval Air Squadron takes part in monitoring operations with HMS Somerset and St Albans

Royal Navy scrambled to shadow Russian warships and submarine

Defence secretary John Healey delivers a statement on recent UK operational activity at 9 Downing Street in Westminster, central London. Mr Healey said the UK and allies monitored a Russian attack submarine and two spy submarines in the North Atlantic for a month before they retreated.

'We see you': Russian spy submarines tracked by Royal Navy for a month

Channel 5 is launching an eye-opening documentary showing life aboard HMS Iron Duke, when the Royal Navy frigate had to respond to a Russian submarine that was at risk of exploding.

'Dramatic' documentary to show frigate track broken Russian submarine

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that British forces will start seizing Russian shadow fleet ships. Pictured: HMS Tyne tracks RFN Aleksandr Otrakovsky, which was protecting illicit cargo ships.

'We’re going after Putin': Britain will start seizing Russia ships

New surveillance drone are being used by the Royal Navy in Gibraltar. Pictured: HMS Dagger uses a drone to watch over HMS Anson as the submarine departs Gibraltar.

'Effective surveillance' enhanced as new Royal Navy drones deployed

The UK is pushing to remove legal obstacles that would allow allies to seize Russian shadow fleet vessels. Pictured: HMS Tyne tracks Aleksandr Shabalin and cargo ship MV Sabetta.

UK aims to remove ally obstacles to seize Russia shadow fleet ships

Royal Navy scrambled after sanctioned Russian ships spotted in the English Channel. Pictured: HMS Tyne tracks Aleksandr Shabalin and cargo ship MV Sabetta.

'Exceptional' Royal Navy scrambled to track 'sanctioned' Russia ships

The Royal Navy could starting patrolling Irish waters in a bid to protect critical undersea infrastructure from Russia. Pictured: HMS Somerset flanking Russian ship Yantar near UK waters.

Royal Navy anti-Russia patrols expand to 'where prosperity flows'

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins called on nations to unite against the growing threat of Russia in the North Atlantic. He spoke at the Warfighting Conference at HMS Collingwood.

'Growing' Russia threat: Royal Navy must 'fight with what we've got'

HMS Prince of Wales will once again take charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group, this time in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

Why HMS Prince of Wales is being deployed to the Arctic

The Royal Navy could receive a new Arctic patrol ship. Pictured: HMS Protector carefully navigating the Antarctic ice floes.

New "future patrol ship" could join Royal Navy fleet

More Royal Marines, Royal Navy personnel, and other troops are expected to be deployed to the Arctic over the next three years to combat Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Russia poses "greatest threat since Cold War" as UK steps up response

The force is planning to create a new surveillance base to track shadow fleet ships.

Royal Navy to set up new surveillance base to monitor Russia fleet

Royal Navy helicopter pilots have been bolstered with a technology contract to track submarines. Pictured: Aircrew with sonobuoys walk out to a Merlin Mk2 helicopter

"Essential" Royal Navy tech contract signed to track submarines