The Royal Navy has conducted an continuous surveillance operation on Russian warships transiting through UK waters for approximately three months. This ongoing mission has involved monitoring several Russian vessels, including a frigate that discharged warning shots near a British yacht and subsequently positioned itself near a wind farm supplying power to hundreds of thousands of homes.
Five Royal Navy ships were involved in tracking the frigate Admiral Grigorovich. On June 16, the vessel fired up to five shots in the direction of the yacht Bright Future, piloted by Alan and Jane Kelvey, who were sailing from Britain to the French coast. The couple reported hearing horn blasts from the Admiral Grigorovich moments before the gunfire erupted when they were approximately 500 meters away.
The Royal Navy confirmed the Admiral Grigorovich was present in the English Channel during specific periods between late April and late May. Patrol ships HMS Tyne, Ledbury, Severn, Mersey, and the Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland were engaged in this monitoring effort throughout May and into June, following daily observations by ships or aircraft in April.
Russian Naval Activity Near Critical Infrastructure
As part of the surveillance, HMS Tyne observed the Admiral Grigorovich conducting a "raft up" with the Russian Amur-class supply ship PM-82 near the Galloper Wind Farm off the coast of Suffolk. The supply ship is described as a mobile workshop capable of transferring fuel and supplies. The Admiral Grigorovich loitered in the vicinity of the wind farm, which powers approximately 400,000 British homes, for 18 hours. This activity has been suggested as a potential attempt to deter British forces from seizing Russian "shadow fleet" tankers used to transport oil and fuel.
Interceptions and Seizures of Russian Vessels
The Royal Navy's surveillance also included HMS Somerset intercepting the Yury Ivanov, a Russian intelligence-gathering ship, in an operation with NATO allies and Irish vessels. Subsequently, HMS Somerset shadowed the Ropucha-class landing ship transport Aleksander Shabalin and the tanker MV Mikhail Britnev through the English Channel.
These operations coincide with broader actions against Russia's shadow fleet. On June 14, two days before the yacht incident, the Russian tanker MV Smyrtos was seized. The boarding of the vessel, which had departed from Ust Luga with crude oil, was carried out by Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officers, supported by multiple naval assets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised this seizure as a significant step against Russia's oil fleet.
France has also recently seized members of the shadow fleet. Russia employs these tankers, estimated to number around 700 and often poorly maintained, to circumvent sanctions on its energy products. These vessels transport an estimated 75 percent of Russia's sanctioned crude oil, generating revenue that supports its military actions. The condition of these ships also presents a substantial environmental risk.
The British government has imposed sanctions on over 600 vessels believed to be involved in transporting items to Russia.
Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones stated that the Royal Navy remains vigilant, protecting British waters and security. She emphasized the collaboration with NATO allies and Ireland to track and deter vessels operating near the UK coast, underscoring the professionalism of the sailors and aircrew in defending the nation and its infrastructure.
Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, Royal Navy Fleet Commander, highlighted the tireless efforts of the Royal Navy in safeguarding UK waters in response to increased Russian naval activity. He affirmed that the constant watch maintained by sailors, ships, and aircraft contributes to the UK's security and reassures allies, demonstrating the Navy's capability to address emerging challenges in cooperation with NATO partners.