The United Kingdom has intensified its monitoring of Russian military activity in UK waters and the North Atlantic, with Royal Navy operations increasing by 25 per cent in the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
The UK Ministry of Defence said Royal Navy warships and helicopters spent 21 days conducting operations in July to monitor Russian warships and submarines operating in and around waters of strategic importance to Britain and its allies.
Four Royal Navy vessels — HMS Somerset, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn — were involved in the operations, alongside Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin submarine-hunting aircraft.
The Ministry of Defence said the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy had repeatedly entered the UK’s area of responsibility while escorting vessels that Britain identifies as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
According to the ministry, the increased Russian activity has placed additional demands on Royal Navy resources as British forces maintain surveillance of the vessels.
The heightened monitoring follows the UK’s interception of the sanctioned shadow-fleet oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in June.
The British government has sanctioned more than 500 vessels as part of efforts to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet, which it says helps sustain Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
Royal Navy Tracks Russian Frigate
On July 20, Portsmouth-based HMS Tyne monitored RFN Neustrashimy as the Russian frigate conducted gunnery exercises outside UK and French territorial waters.
The Ministry of Defence said HMS Tyne moved to within five nautical miles of the Russian vessel while monitoring the exercise and gathering intelligence.
According to the ministry, Neustrashimy fired about 20 rounds from its main 100mm weapon, along with additional rounds from its 30mm weapon during the exercise.
The commanding officer of HMS Tyne, Lieutenant Commander Sam Fields, said the deployment demonstrated the value of maintaining a sustained naval presence while allowing other Royal Navy units to continue their missions.
He said close cooperation with allies had enabled the ship to provide reassurance and monitoring while supporting wider Fleet operations.
HMS Somerset Completes North Atlantic Mission
Meanwhile, HMS Somerset completed a four-month deployment monitoring surface and underwater activity across the North Atlantic.
The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate, equipped with underwater sensors and an embarked Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopter, returned to the UK on Friday after travelling more than 24,000 nautical miles.
Its commanding officer, Commander Matt Millyard, said the deployment involved tracking submarines, working alongside NATO allies and the Carrier Strike Group, while maintaining a high level of operational readiness.
He said the mission demonstrated the Royal Navy’s role in protecting the UK and its allies wherever their interests face potential threats.
HMS Severn and HMS Mersey Continue Surveillance
HMS Severn was also activated twice in July to monitor Russian warships.
The vessel initially shadowed RFN Admiral Grigorovich as the Russian frigate travelled east from the French island of Ushant towards Dover.
Between July 23 and 26, HMS Severn was deployed again to monitor Neustrashimy, taking over surveillance duties from HMS Mersey in the North Sea.
Severn monitored the Russian frigate as it escorted the shadow-fleet tanker MV Vulkan from the Baltic Sea through the Dover Strait towards Ushant.
HMS Severn and HMS Mersey subsequently handed over monitoring duties as Neustrashimy travelled west towards Dover after completing its escort mission.
The executive officer of HMS Severn, Lieutenant Commander Dom Jacobs, said the ship’s crew had adapted to changing operational requirements while continuing its training responsibilities.
He described the deployment as evidence of the versatility of the Royal Navy and its ability to respond quickly to changing operational demands.
The increased activity reflects the growing importance Britain places on monitoring Russian naval movements, particularly those involving warships, submarines and vessels linked by the UK to Russia’s shadow fleet.
With Royal Navy operations up 25 per cent in the first seven months of the year, Britain says sustained surveillance and cooperation with NATO allies remain central to protecting its waters, monitoring potential threats and maintaining security across the wider North Atlantic.
