Royal Navy Shadows Russian Warships, Tankers Through English Channel

Royal Navy warship HMS Trent and a Wildcat helicopter have completed a five-day operation shadowing Russian vessels through UK waters, highlighting Britain’s commitment to maritime security and territorial integrity.

The Portsmouth-based Offshore Patrol Vessel tracked the Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov and two tankers as they traversed the English Channel, maintaining surveillance throughout the transit.

HMS Trent, returning to UK waters for the first time in four years following deployments in the Mediterranean and West Africa, began shadowing the Vice Admiral Kulakov off Great Yarmouth and tracked its movement westward through the Channel towards Ushant. Simultaneously, NATO allies monitored the two Russian tankers approaching from the west.

The operation intensified when the Russian vessels converged off the island of Ushant near the Brittany peninsula, linking up and turning eastward through the Channel – with HMS Trent maintaining close observation throughout.

A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, provided air support to monitor the Russians’ movements.

“This is routine business for the Royal Navy and is a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the UK’s territorial waters,” said Lt Cdr Paul Kilbride, Executive Officer in Temporary Command of HMS Trent.

Kilbride noted that the multinational operation highlighted NATO’s interoperability: “This operation was multi-national and had HMS Trent operating with several of our European NATO allies demonstrating our interoperability with other nations and providing a deterrence inside UK waters.”

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasized the growing Russian presence in the Channel: “Russian warships are increasingly sailing through the English Channel, and the Royal Navy stands ready to monitor them, safeguarding our waters and undersea cables.”

The operation received additional support from warships, patrol aircraft, and helicopters from other NATO allies.

HMS Trent, a Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel, is now preparing for deployment to the Caribbean later this year.

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 107,440 members