London: The UK Royal Navy is actively patrolling the English Channel and the High North in response to a 30 percent rise in Russian activity posing threats to UK waters. The Navy has intercepted a Russian warship and tanker in the Dover Strait and English Channel, while Royal Air Force (RAF) P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft have been deployed to Iceland to monitor the North Atlantic, as outlined in a statement by the UK Ministry of Defence on Monday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Severn recently intercepted the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya off the UK coast. This interception was part of a continuous shadowing operation as the Russian vessels navigated through the Dover Strait and moved westward through the English Channel. Although HMS Severn later transferred monitoring responsibilities to a NATO ally off Brittany's coast, it continued to observe from a distance, prepared to respond to any unforeseen developments.
Last Wednesday, the Defence Secretary confirmed the presence of the Russian spy ship Yantar, known for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables, operating near UK waters north of Scotland. In a direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Defence Secretary stated, "We see you. We know what you are doing. And we are ready." During its presence in wider UK waters, the Yantar's crew directed lasers at RAF P-8 pilots, an act described as reckless and dangerous. Furthermore, while tracking Yantar, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and other civilian ships in the vicinity experienced GPS jamming, demonstrating unprofessional misconduct intended to be disruptive. Despite this, HMS Somerset's combat capabilities remained unaffected, the statement confirmed.
The UK has a broad array of military options available to ensure the safety of its waters. Notably, three RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft have been deployed to Keflavik Air Base in Iceland, marking the largest overseas deployment of the RAF P-8 fleet to date. The P-8s from 120 Squadron are conducting surveillance operations as part of NATO's collective defence, monitoring Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.
While stationed in Iceland, RAF crews are collaborating closely with NATO allies, including the US and Canada, reinforcing the UK's NATO-first approach and dedication to Euro-Atlantic security amidst this new era of threats. These operations underscore the UK's steadfast commitment to national security and the protection of crucial undersea infrastructure, supporting the Government's Plan for Change, the statement added.