The Navy has concluded a three-day operation which saw three warships track two Russian naval vessels and two sanctioned cargo ships as they navigated the North Sea and English Channel.
A separate British naval vessel, HMS Mersey, was also shadowing the Russian replenishment ship Akademik Pashin as it transited the same waters.
The operation was the latest in a series of missions aimed at deterring Russian vessels belonging to its so-called “shadow fleet” from transiting through UK waters.
It comes as the UK and European allies step up efforts to combat sanctions evasion by Russia, including through seizures of vessels, in a bid to curb Moscow’s ability to fund its invasion of Ukraine.
What did the operation involve?
According to the Royal Navy, the operation involved three British warships, HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn, and a Merlin helicopter.
The trio of vessels used radar and other sensory equipment to track two Russian warships and two shadow fleet tankers as they navigated south from the North Sea and into the English Channel.
The Merlin helicopter was deployed from HMS St Albans as the Russian vessels approached the Strait of Dover, helping to extend the Navy’s surveillance capabilities.
HMS Mersey was not involved in tracking the shadow tankers or their escorts, but instead sailed close to the Akademik Pashin, a resupply ship, as it navigated UK waters.
The three-day operation, described as “intense” by the Navy, was intended to ensure the safety of shipping in British waters and as a demonstration of force against Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions.
No information was provided on the origin or likely destination of the Russian ships, or what cargo the tankers were believed to be transporting.
Navy chief warns against ‘complacency’
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, hailed the success of the operation, but warned Russia was unlikely to cease its activities in the North Sea or the English Channel.
Highlighting the successful seizure of the sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker, Smyrtos, in the English Channel in June, he noted Russia was now being forced to divert naval resources in order to protect similar vessels.
Navy forces successfully seized the sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker, Smyrtos, in the English Channel in June (Photo: Finnbarr Webster / Getty Images)“Since that successful operation, we have seen Russian shadow fleet vessels increasingly forced to change their routes, imposing significant cost and delays to their journeys,” the First Sea Lord said.
“Alongside our allies, this approach is forcing Moscow to divert Russian warships away from their core purpose. That is because Russia knows we stand ready to act again, should it be required.”
Despite this, he warned “there is no room for complacency” from the UK or its allies, with shadow tankers continuing to pose “an unacceptable risk to maritime security and the environment”.
Royal Navy activations to monitor Russian activity are up 25 per cent over the first eight months of the year compared to 2025, underscoring the enduring threat posed by the Kremlin’s naval manoeuvres.
In addition to sanctions evasion, some Russian flagged vessels have been accused of attempting to sabotage undersea cables and other infrastructure critical for both Europe and the UK.
Beyond shadow fleet activity, Russian warships have conducted aggressive patrols throughout the North Sea and English Channel, posing a direct risk to shipping.
That risk was brought into start relief when one Russian vessel fired warning shots and let off flares near a privately registered yacht in the English Channel.
A British couple abord the yacht described the experience as “surreal”, while then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the conduct of the Russian vessel “reckless”.
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