Royal Navy Tracks Russian Intelligence Vessel, Cargo Ships, and Warships

The UK’s Royal Navy continues to report on a series of efforts tracking the persistent and increasing level of Russian vessels in the areas around the UK. Earlier this year, officers from the Royal Navy reported a dramatic increase in Russian activity, and it appears to be continuing.

Warships and helicopters of the Royal Navy conducted three focused operations across 17 days to monitor Russian activity in UK waters. They emphasized the persistence of the efforts while saying it had also served as good training for helicopter operations.

The patrol ship HMS Tyne and the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, along with the Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, were dispatched to report on Russian movements during the final days of September and the opening two weeks of October. According to the Royal Navy, Dauntless and Tyne were tasked from October 1 to 14 to report on the movements of RFN Neustrashimy, as the Russian frigate escorted sanctioned cargo ships through the English Channel.

Meanwhile, Merlin helicopters were also deployed at short notice from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland to conduct Operation Iceblast. From September 29 until October 8, the Merlins were used to keep track of the Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering ship Viktor Leonov in the Outer Hebrides.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →