UK Navy monitors Russian warships and tankers in British waters

The British Royal Navy concluded an intensive 72-hour operation this week, closely monitoring Russian warships and oil tankers navigating within UK waters. Vessels involved included the destroyer HMS Duncan, the frigate HMS St Albans, and the patrol ship HMS Severn. They tracked the Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko as it escorted oil tankers General Skobelev and Sparta through the North Sea and the English Channel.

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Russia was compelled to deploy costly military assets, including the frigate Neustrashimy, to protect its illegal cargo.

A Merlin helicopter provided aerial support during the surveillance. This operation is part of a broader strategy by London and its allies to monitor Russia's 'ghost fleet.' This fleet was established in 2022 to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

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there is no room for complacency

During the three-day operation, another British vessel, the HMS Mersey, kept watch on the Russian replenishment ship Akademik Pashin. British authorities subsequently transferred surveillance responsibilities to a NATO ally off the coast of France, near Ushant. The Royal Navy stated that Russia was compelled to deploy costly military assets, including the frigate Neustrashimy, to protect its "illegal cargo."

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the Russian 'ghost fleet' continues to pose an unacceptable risk to maritime safety and the environment.

General Gwyn Jenkins, head of the Navy's staff, emphasized that "there is no room for complacency." He warned that the Russian 'ghost fleet' continues to pose an "unacceptable risk" to maritime safety and the environment. Jenkins added that this strategy, in conjunction with allies, forces Moscow to divert warships from their primary duties, as Russia knows the UK is prepared to act again if necessary.

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Together with our allies, this strategy is forcing Moscow to divert its warships from their primary role. This is because Russia knows we are prepared to act again if necessary.