Royal Navy tracks four Russian vessels during three-day operation in UK waters

From August 30, the Royal Navy conducted a three-day operation to monitor four Russian vessels as they transited UK territorial waters. The flotilla, consisting of the Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko and two sanctioned cargo ships - General Skobelev and Sparta - passed through the North Sea into the English Channel. HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans, and HMS Severn, three Royal Navy destroyers, tracked the vessels using radar, while a Merlin helicopter provided aerial support from the fleet.

First Sea Lord General Gwyn Jenkins emphasized that shadow fleet vessels, such as those operated by Russia, pose an "unacceptable risk" to British security. He warned against complacency, stating that Russia knows the UK is prepared to act if necessary to maintain readiness.

British sailors spent 21 days monitoring Russian vessels in July, which is 25% more than the previous year. In June, British marines boarded a sanctioned Russian vessel for the first time, seizing the tanker Smyrtos. This action came as part of over 500 vessels sanctioned by Britain for aiding in the circumvention of trade restrictions on Russian oil.

Tensions between the UK and Russia have escalated recently. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's visit to Kyiv this week to pledge support for Ukraine with blueprints for long-range SCALP missile components has sparked a response from the Kremlin. Moscow accuses London and its allies of "playing with fire," warning against further support for Ukraine.

Former Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Fedorov even suggested that semi-military actions against Britain, including potential attacks on British drone factories, could be considered in response to the ongoing confrontation.