Royal Navy Tracks Russian Warships and Sanctioned Ships Through English Channel in 72-Hour Operation

Three Royal Navy warships have completed an intensive 72-hour operation tracking Russian Navy vessels and sanctioned cargo ships through waters around the UK.

HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn were deployed as a Russian task group travelled south through the North Sea and into the English Channel.

The Royal Navy disclosed details of the operation on Saturday, 29 August, saying its ships used radar and other sensors to closely monitor the vessels throughout their passage.

A Merlin helicopter operating from HMS St Albans also joined the mission, extending surveillance as the Russian ships approached the Strait of Dover.

The task group included Russian Navy destroyer Admiral Levchenko, which was escorting two sanctioned cargo vessels named General Skobelev and Sparta.

The Royal Navy said Russia also deployed frigate Neustrashimy during the operation.

At the same time, patrol ship HMS Mersey was separately shadowing Russian replenishment vessel Akademik Pashin.

The British ships continued tracking the main Russian group through the English Channel before responsibility for monitoring the vessels was handed to a NATO ally near Ushant off the coast of France.

The Royal Navy says the latest operation forms part of a significant increase in activity required to monitor Russian vessels travelling close to Britain.

Royal Navy activations to monitor Russian activity during the first eight months of 2026 are reported to be 25% higher than during the equivalent period in 2025.

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The operation also comes amid increased UK efforts to target vessels accused of helping Russia circumvent international sanctions.

Britain has sanctioned more than 500 vessels connected to what the government describes as Russia’s shadow fleet.

The term is generally used for ships that authorities say are employed to move Russian oil and other cargo while attempting to avoid Western sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Royal Navy said shadow-fleet vessels continue to pose risks to maritime security and the environment.

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said the UK and its allies remained ready to act against attempts to evade sanctions and said there was no room for complacency.

The Navy believes increased monitoring and enforcement activity is forcing Russia to dedicate military resources to escorting some vessels.

Saturday’s announcement follows the UK’s interception of the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in June.

HMS Severn has also been particularly active during August.

The Royal Navy says the Portsmouth-based patrol ship has now been dispatched three times this month to monitor Russian movements.

Earlier deployments involved monitoring Neustrashimy and later tracking Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov, hydrographic vessel Romuald Muklevich and Akademik Pashin alongside HMS Tyne.

Commander Oli Ayers, commanding officer of HMS St Albans, said monitoring Russian ships around UK waters was part of the frigate’s core role and that similar operations would continue alongside NATO allies over the coming months.

After completing the latest mission, HMS Duncan travelled to Copenhagen for an engagement marking defence links between Britain and Denmark.

The Royal Navy maintains a continuing watch on maritime activity around the UK and routinely deploys ships and aircraft to monitor foreign military vessels travelling through nearby waters.

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