Royal Navy warships and helicopters have been deployed in the English Channel and North Sea as part of a four day operation – the mission aims to monitor Russian activity
The Royal Navy have been urged to deploy its warships and helicopters to shadow Russian activity in the English Channel and North Sea.
The plans have been announced as part of a four-day operation to monitor Vladmir Putin’s latest actions. It comes as Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, issued a warning that Russian warships are “increasingly sailing through the English Channel”.
In response to the increase in appearances, the Royal Navy has been instructed to strengthen its defence. Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Duncan and patrol ship HMS Mersey worked in tandem as they reported on the movements of RFN Boikiy as the corvette sailed eastwards through the English Channel.
Mr Pollard stressed: “Russian warships are increasingly sailing through the English Channel, and every time they do, a Royal Navy vessel will be keeping an eye on them. I have every confidence, as should the British public, that our Royal Navy will continue to defend our waters and keep our undersea cables safe.”
Commander Daniel Lee, Commanding Officer of HMS Duncan, said: “Escorting foreign warships through waters near the UK is a vital part of our mission to protect our nation and uphold international maritime law. It’s a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our seas, which are so important to the lives and livelihoods of the British people.
“As a ship’s company, we are proud to carry out this duty on behalf of the nation, showcasing our professionalism and readiness to respond to any task required of us.”
This operation came soon after patrol ship HMS Trent and Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron shadowed RFN Admiral Grigorovich as part of joint NATO efforts as the Russian frigate sailed past Gibraltar, through the English Channel and into the North Sea.
Type 45 destroyer Duncan met the Steregushchiy-class corvette near the island of Ushant at the southwestern end of the Channel on the French coast on June 20. HMS Mersey took over duties off the Isle of Wight on June 21, with Duncan returning to training ahead of operations.