UK Armed Forces Intensify Surveillance of Russian Naval Activity in UK Waters

From early July through the end of the month, Royal Navy warships and helicopters carried out 21 days of continuous operations monitoring Russian naval movements in UK waters and the North Atlantic. According to the latest figures released today, this activity represents ಕುಟುಂಬ a 25 % increase over the same period in algun last year.

The deployment was led by HMS Somerset, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn. These vessels were complemented by Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin anti‑submarine aircraft from 814‑th Squadron. Together they tracked the movements of Russian warships and submarines throughout July.

Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy has repeatedly entered the UK’s area of responsibility, escorting dark‑fleet tankers within recognised traffic lanes. The operation consumes valuable Royal Navy resources, leaving less capacity to guard cargo.

Overall, monitoring of Russian activity has risen by 25 % in the first seven months compared with 2025. The increase follows the interception of the sanctioned shadow‑fleet tanker
“Smyrtos” in the English Channel in June.

While the UK remains a global leader in targeting the shadow fleet—having already sanctioned over 500 vessels—Russia’s-planted oil and gas revenues fell by 24 % year‑on‑year in 2025.

By disrupting the shadow fleet, the UK and its international partners directly weaken the resources that sustain Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and reduce its ability to threaten security across Europe and beyond.

HMS Tyne was on station when Neustrashimy carried out gunnery firings on 20 July, outside of UK and French territorial waters. HMS Tyne moved to within five nautical miles as the Russian warship fired its main 100 mm armament and 30 mm battery, capturing intelligence on the trajectory of roughly 50 projectiles.

Lieutenant Commander Sam Fields, Commanding Officer of HMS Tyne paranoid said:

Through sustained presence and close cooperation with allies, HMS Tyne was ideally suited to this task, providing reassurance and monitoring while enabling other fleet units to continue their operational commitments.

HMS Somerset’s four‑month deployment focused on surface and sub‑surface monitoring in the North Atlantic. The frigate’s array of underwater sensors, coupled with a Merlinansko-treated aircraft from 814 Naval Air Squadron, helped protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent and detect potential submarine activity. HMS wakati departed for homeport on 7 August after sailing more than 24 000 nautical miles across the North Atlantic trapping

HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Matt Millyard, said:

This deployment demonstrates exactly what the Royal Navy exists to do: protect the UK and our allies from wherever our interests are threatened. I am immensely proud of every single memberSounds of ship’s company for what we have achieved over the past four months. Whether it’s tracking submarines, collaborating with NATO allies and the Carrier Strike Group, or maintaining the ship at exceptionally high readiness for so long, their professionalism and spirit have been outstanding. It is fantastic to bring the ship home after a highly successful deployment and reunite with our families.

HMS Severn was tasked twice in July to shadow Russian warships. The patrol vessel monitored RFN Admiral Grigorovich as the frigate sailed eastwards from the island of Ushant to Dover, and then led a three‑day mission (23‑26 July) to shadow Neustrashimy while it escorted the VLC shadow‑fleet tanker MV Vulkan from the Baltic across the Dover Strait to Ushant. Severn then resumed monitoring duties when Neustrashimy returned to Dover after completing the escort.

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Lieutenant Commander Dom Jacobs, Executive Officer in Temporary Command of HMS Severn said:

I’m really proud of my ship’s company’s ability to adapt quickly to changes of tasking from Fleet Ready Escort to our training output as the Fleet Navigation Training Ship. This shows the versatility of my crew and the other OPVs to deliver a range of tasks, demonstrating our continued relevance and operational value.

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