The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy has reported an increase in Russian naval activity near British waters.
According to a report by The Guardian, Royal Navy operations to track Russian vessels increased by 25 percent last month compared to last year. Russian warships have made repeated voyages through the Strait of Dover and the North Sea.
Several offshore patrol vessels, as well as helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and submarine-hunting aircraft, were deployed throughout the month to track Russian frigates Neustrashimy and Admiral Grigorovich. The Russian warships have been tasked with escorting vessels belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which has been helping Russia evade international sanctions imposed on its oil exports.
The Ministry of Defense said Russian naval activity around Britain has increased, as Royal Navy vessels were activated 116 times in the year to March 2026. The ministry said that the diversion of ships from Russia to escort shadow fleet vessels meant Russia was “using up valuable operational capacity to constantly guard cargo.”
Russia has been hit with sanctions by the UK on over 500 vessels. In 2025, Russia’s oil and gas revenues fell by 24 percent.
The Frigate HMS Somerset has been monitoring Russian activity in the North Atlantic. The ship’s commanding officer, Commander Matt Millyard, said that “This deployment demonstrates exactly what the Royal Navy exists to do, protect the UK and our allies from wherever our interests are threatened.”
“I am immensely proud of every single member of the ship’s company for what we have achieved over the past four months. Whether it’s tracking submarines, working alongside NATO allies and the Carrier Strike Group, or maintaining the ship at exceptionally high readiness for so long, their professionalism and spirit has been outstanding,” Millyard added. “It is fantastic to bring the ship home after a highly successful deployment and reunite with our families.”
According to a report by The Guardian, Royal Navy operations to track Russian vessels increased by 25 percent last month compared to last year. Russian warships have made repeated voyages through the Strait of Dover and the North Sea.
Several offshore patrol vessels, as well as helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and submarine-hunting aircraft, were deployed throughout the month to track Russian frigates Neustrashimy and Admiral Grigorovich. The Russian warships have been tasked with escorting vessels belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which has been helping Russia evade international sanctions imposed on its oil exports.
The Ministry of Defense said Russian naval activity around Britain has increased, as Royal Navy vessels were activated 116 times in the year to March 2026. The ministry said that the diversion of ships from Russia to escort shadow fleet vessels meant Russia was “using up valuable operational capacity to constantly guard cargo.”
Russia has been hit with sanctions by the UK on over 500 vessels. In 2025, Russia’s oil and gas revenues fell by 24 percent.
The Frigate HMS Somerset has been monitoring Russian activity in the North Atlantic. The ship’s commanding officer, Commander Matt Millyard, said that “This deployment demonstrates exactly what the Royal Navy exists to do, protect the UK and our allies from wherever our interests are threatened.”
“I am immensely proud of every single member of the ship’s company for what we have achieved over the past four months. Whether it’s tracking submarines, working alongside NATO allies and the Carrier Strike Group, or maintaining the ship at exceptionally high readiness for so long, their professionalism and spirit has been outstanding,” Millyard added. “It is fantastic to bring the ship home after a highly successful deployment and reunite with our families.”
