The Royal Navy has confirmed that its warships and helicopters spent 21 days in July tracking Russian vessels and submarines in British waters and the North Atlantic, with activations rising by 25% compared to the same period in 2025.
Deployments and Key Ships
HMS Somerset, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn were all deployed, supported by Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin submarine-hunting aircraft. Much of the activity focused on the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy, which has repeatedly entered the UK's area of responsibility to escort shadow fleet tankers, forcing British vessels to redirect resources for surveillance.
Close Encounter and Gunnery Exercise
On July 20, Portsmouth-based HMS Tyne moved within five nautical miles of Neustrashimy during gunnery exercises outside UK and French territorial waters. The British vessel monitored the impact of approximately 20 rounds from the Russian ship's main 100mm gun and 30mm battery while collecting intelligence. Lieutenant Commander Sam Fields, commanding officer of HMS Tyne, said: "Through sustained presence and close cooperation with allies, HMS Tyne was ideally suited to this task, providing reassurance and monitoring while enabling other Fleet units to continue their operational commitments."
HMS Somerset's Four-Month Deployment
The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset docked on August 7 after a four-month deployment covering more than 24,000 nautical miles across the North Atlantic. Armed with sophisticated underwater sensors and an embarked Merlin from 814 Naval Air Squadron, the ship helped safeguard Britain's nuclear deterrent and detect potential submarine activity. Commander Matt Millyard, her commanding officer, stated: "The deployment demonstrates what the Royal Navy exists to do: protect the UK and our allies from wherever our interests are threatened." He praised the crew for maintaining high readiness while tracking submarines and collaborating with NATO partners and the Carrier Strike Group.
HMS Severn's Double Duty
HMS Severn was called into action twice in July. Initially, it shadowed the Russian frigate RFN Admiral Grigorovich as it sailed eastwards from Ushant towards Dover. Later, between July 23 and 26, Severn took over from HMS Mersey in the North Sea to monitor Neustrashimy as it escorted the shadow fleet tanker MV Vulkan from the Baltic through the Dover Strait towards Ushant. Lieutenant Commander Dom Jacobs, executive officer temporarily in command of Severn, said: "My crew adapted rapidly between Fleet Ready Escort duties and the ship's role as Fleet Navigation Training Ship, demonstrating the versatility of offshore patrol vessels."
Impact and Context
The heightened activity follows the UK's interception of the sanctioned shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in June. Britain has imposed sanctions on more than 500 vessels in the fleet. Russian oil and gas revenues dropped 24% year-on-year in 2025. By disrupting these tankers, the UK and its allies aim to cut resources fueling Russia's war in Ukraine and its threat to European security. The figures released on August 8 highlight the ongoing pressure on Royal Navy assets to maintain close surveillance near home waters.
