UK home waters monitoring of Russian vessels
The Royal Navy completed three operations over 17 days to track Russian activity around UK waters. Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless and patrol ship HMS Tyne shadowed the Russian frigate Neustrashimy as she escorted sanctioned cargo ships through the Channel from 1 to 14 October. Merlin helicopters deployed at short notice from RNAS Culdrose to Glasgow Prestwick for Operation Iceblast. From 29 September to 8 October they tracked the intelligence ship Viktor Leonov off the Outer Hebrides. A Wildcat helicopter supported Tyne during a transit by a Russian landing ship. Navy Lookout reports that an RAF Protector drone was used for the first time. This is an ongoing home-waters task, and these operations are the latest example.
- Where
- United Kingdom, English Channel and waters off the Outer Hebrides; Merlin helicopters flown from RNAS Culdrose
- When
- 29 Sep 2026 to 14 Oct 2026
- Units
- HMS Tyne; HMS Dauntless; Merlin and Wildcat helicopters
- With
- Royal Air Force
- Last checked
- 4 Nov 2026
Sources
- Royal Navy intercepts Russian intelligence vessel and warships across three intensive operations Royal Navy, 2 Nov 2026
- British Navy Conducts 3 Operations to Track Russian Intelligence Vessel and Warships on English Channel Army Recognition, 2 Nov 2026
- Navy Lookout (home page, 2 Nov 2026 headlines) Navy Lookout, 2 Nov 2026
