PREVIEW

The Royal Navy has been closely monitoring Russian vessels, including the spy ship Yantar and the submarine Novorossiysk, as they operated near UK waters, the Defence Secretary has confirmed.

The tanker RFA Tidesurge, supported by a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron – known as Swordfish Flight – shadowed the surfaced Novorossiysk and the Russian frigate RFS Boiky as they travelled north through the English Channel over several days.

Defence Secretary John Healey informed MPs that Yantar, officially described by Russia as an oceanic research vessel, is believed to be gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure. “This is another example of growing Russian aggression,” he said.

Addressing the House of Commons, Healey sent a stark message to Russian President Vladimir Putin: “We see you, we know what you’re doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.”

Yantar, operated by Russia’s Ministry of Defence, is equipped with advanced surveillance systems and submersible drones capable of reaching the ocean floor. Western nations suspect the ship’s activities include mapping undersea cables crucial to global internet traffic and energy supplies. More than 95% of internet data is transmitted via these undersea cables, which also support vital power and gas infrastructure.

Lieutenant Commander Mike Curd, Flight Commander for 814 Naval Air Squadron, explained: “Shadowing Russian units passing close to the UK is routine business, and having anti-submarine warfare specialists from the Royal Navy’s Merlin Helicopter Force embarked adds another layer of security and ability to track the submarine should it dive.”

The Navy’s Merlin helicopters frequently operate from Type 23 frigates and support ships such as Tidesurge, both for training and regular patrols around the British Isles.

This marks the second time in three weeks that British forces have tracked Russian vessels near UK waters. On Christmas Day, RFA Tidesurge was deployed to monitor the progress of the Russian corvette RFS Soobrazitelny.

The increasing presence of Russian ships near UK waters comes amid heightened tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Western allies keeping a close watch on Moscow’s activities.