British Ships Keeping Close Watch On Russian Vessels

Royal Navy warships have been keeping a close watch on multiple Russian vessels as they sail close to and through British waters.

Royal Navy minehunter HMS Cattistock was tasked with shadowing a Russian survey ship as she sailed through the English Channel last week.

The British warship kept close tabs on oceanographic survey vessel Admiral Vladimirskiy on March 20 as she passed from the North Sea through the Strait of Dover and out into the Atlantic beyond the Brest peninsula.

Then Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and tanker RFA Tidesurge were deployed to shadow Russian  merchant vessel MV Ascalon and landing ship RFN Alexander Otrakovsky. The Russian ships were heading north through the Channel and North Sea towards the Baltic.

As per a Royal Navy press statement, the operations “highlight the Royal Navy’s commitment to securing the U.K.’s waters and areas of interest.”

The previous week Royal Navy warships and helicopters had linked up with RAF P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to follow a Russian task group on its way home from Syria.

HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer Commander Joel Roberts, said: “Somerset has been frequently activated to conduct this type of operation given the tempo of Russian activity around the United Kingdom’s territorial and sensitive waters.

“In maintaining units at very high readiness to respond, the Royal Navy offers presence, deterrence, persistence, flexibility and can deliver or facilitate a range of military and diplomatic options to support our national objectives.”

• You can read more details about the recent operations on the Royal Navy website