Royal Navy warships and a helicopter conducted a three-day operation last week, tracking four Russian Navy vessels and sanctioned cargo ships in the North Sea and English Channel. HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans, and HMS Severn used radar to monitor the ships, while a Merlin helicopter provided aerial surveillance.
Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, stated that this operation has forced Russian "shadow fleet" vessels to alter their routes, incurring significant costs and delays. Data indicates that Royal Navy activity monitoring Russian movements has increased by 25% so far this year compared to 2025.
During the operation, the Royal Navy tracked the Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko as it escorted the sanctioned cargo vessels General Skobelev and Sparta southward through the North Sea and into the English Channel. According to the Royal Navy, Russia was compelled to deploy its frigate Neustrashimy in response, utilizing costly military resources. A NATO ally subsequently took over monitoring duties off the coast of France, though the specific country was not identified.
This incident follows a previous operation in June where Royal Marine Commandos, alongside National Crime Agency (NCA) officers and with support from the RAF, boarded a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel. This six-hour operation marked the first of its kind by UK armed forces. An Indian national was arrested on suspicion of sanctions offenses and taken into custody.