Putin Taunts Britain Again: Russian Submarine Spotted in British Waters

This latest encounter marks the sixth such operation for HMS Mersey in just three months,

Russian Submarine Sparks Royal Navy Response Off UK Coast

A Russian submarine sailing west through UK waters has triggered a swift and coordinated response from the Royal Navy, which deployed warships and aircraft to shadow the vessel along its route through the North Sea and English Channel.

HMS Mersey and Naval Aircraft Track Kilo-Class Sub

The Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Mersey, along with a Wildcat helicopter and a specialist Merlin aircraft designed for submarine-hunting, kept close watch on the surfaced RFN Novorossiysk.

The Russian Kilo-class sub was accompanied by the Goryn-class tug Yakov Grebelski, with both monitored by advanced sensors throughout their passage.

Royal Navy Stresses Need for Maritime Vigilance

Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle, commanding officer of HMS Mersey, highlighted the importance of maintaining situational awareness in UK waters.

“Monitoring the transit of naval vessels through our area of responsibility remains a fundamental task,” he said, adding that his crew’s professionalism is a great example of the Royal Navy’s high standards.

Submarine Surveillance Handed to NATO Allies

Once the Russian submarine exited British territorial waters, NATO allies assumed responsibility for monitoring its journey.

This latest encounter marks the sixth such operation for HMS Mersey in just three months, underscoring the increased tempo of maritime patrols in response to Russian naval activity.

Recent Spike in Russian Warship Sightings

Just a week earlier, HMS Mersey joined HMS Duncan and HMS Trent to observe two other Russian vessels, the frigate RFN Admiral Grigorovich and corvette RFN Boikiy, as they moved through UK-controlled waters.

These successive sightings reflect a noticeable uptick in Russian military presence in the region.

Armed Forces Minister Issues Warning on Russian Movements

Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, has publicly noted the rise in Russian naval transits through the English Channel, calling for continued Royal Navy vigilance.

He assured the public that UK forces are prepared to respond whenever necessary to ensure national security.

HMS Duncan and HMS Mersey Work in Tandem

The destroyer HMS Duncan and patrol ship HMS Mersey collaborated to report on RFN Boikiy’s eastward voyage through the Channel.

Their efforts are part of a broader commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of UK waters and vital undersea infrastructure.

Royal Navy Deploys Cutting-Edge Technology

According to a Navy spokesperson, the British warship and accompanying helicopters made full use of powerful sensors and advanced systems to monitor the Russian vessels.

This high-tech surveillance is part of the Royal Navy’s modern toolkit for maritime defence.

NATO Cooperation Evident Off Gibraltar

This mission follows a joint NATO effort in which HMS Trent and Wildcat helicopters shadowed the RFN Admiral Grigorovich near Gibraltar.

The Russian frigate’s journey took it from the Mediterranean, through the Channel, and into the North Sea, and it was tracked every step of the way.

HMS Duncan Shadows Corvette Near French Coast

On June 20, HMS Duncan met a Steregushchiy-class corvette near the island of Ushant off France’s coast.

The Royal Navy then passed responsibility to HMS Mersey near the Isle of Wight the following day, allowing Duncan to resume training for future operations.

Royal Navy Ramps Up Presence in English Waters

As Russian warships appear more frequently near the UK, the Royal Navy has significantly increased its operational presence.

Warships and aircraft now regularly patrol strategic maritime corridors, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.