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Britain in WW3 chaos as Royal Navy tracks more Russian vessels in UK waters

The Royal Navy has confirmed its warships and helicopters spent 21 days in July tracking Russian vessels and submarines in British waters and the North Atlantic, as activations rose 25%

[The Royal Navy has tracked more than ever]

The Royal Navy has tracked more than ever(Image: Royal Navy)

Royal Navy warships and helicopters spent 21 days in July tracking Russian vessels and submarines in British waters and the North Atlantic, officials confirmed. HMS Somerset, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn were all deployed, backed by Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin submarine-hunting aircraft.

Deployments monitoring Russian units across the first seven months of 2026 jumped 25% compared with the same period in 2025. Much of the activity focused on the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy.

The warship has repeatedly entered the UK's area of responsibility to escort shadow fleet tankers sailing within recognised shipping lanes, forcing British vessels to redirect operational resources simply to maintain surveillance on commercial cargo.

[RFN Neustrashimy has been tracked]

RFN Neustrashimy has been tracked(Image: Royal Navy)

On July 20, Portsmouth-based HMS Tyne moved to within five nautical miles as Neustrashimy carried out gunnery exercises outside UK and French territorial waters. The British vessel stayed in position, monitoring the impact of rounds from the Russian ship's main 100mm gun and 30mm battery - approximately 20 rounds in total - 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.", reports the Express.

The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset docked on 7 August after a four-month deployment spanning 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 was part of the ongoing operation to 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 lauded the ship's crew for maintaining high readiness while tracking submarines and collaborating with NATO partners and the Carrier Strike Group.

HMS Severn was called into action twice in July. Initially, it shadowed the Russian frigate RFN Admiral Grigorovich as the warship sailed eastwards from Ushant off the French coast towards Dover.

Later, between 23 and 26 July, Severn took over from HMS Mersey in the North Sea to monitor Neustrashimy as the Russian ship escorted the shadow fleet tanker MV Vulkan from the Baltic, through the Dover Strait and towards Ushant. The British vessels handed over again when Neustrashimy turned eastwards.

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."

The heightened activity comes after the UK's interception of the sanctioned shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in June. Britain has already 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 seek to cut the resources fuelling Russia's war in Ukraine and its ability to threaten European security.

The figures released on August 8 highlight the ongoing pressure on Royal Navy assets to maintain close surveillance of Russian warships and submarines in waters near to home.

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