Russian spy ship monitored by Royal Navy warships off Outer Hebrides
HMS Dragon was tasked with monitoring Russian intelligence gathering vessel Yuri Ivanov as it "loitered" in waters off the Outer Hebrides.
The Royal Navy have deployed ships and helicopters after a Russian warship was spotted in Scottish waters.
HMS Dragon was tasked with monitoring Russian intelligence gathering vessel Yuri Ivanov as it "loitered" in waters off the Outer Hebrides. The ship was in the area following the completion of a major NATO exercise Formidable Shield that took place nearby.
The Type 45 destroyer, which was built by BAE Systems at Scotstoun on the Clyde and based in Portsmouth, also launched her Merlin helicopter to collect information. The Yuri Ivanov eventually headed home to its base in the Arctic.
Operation Formidable Shield was a NATO naval exercise focused on integrated air and missile defense. The manoeuvres saw a historic first when the Royal Navy successfully intercepted a supersonic missile off the coast of Scotland.
Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw, Commanding Officer of Hunt-class minehunter HMS Hurworth, said: "Monitoring activity on the seas and seabed around the UK is one of the core roles of the Royal Navy's 2nd Mine-Countermeasures Squadron.
"This operation was all in a day's work for the ship's company who have shown great professionalism. We have kept a constant watch to ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea-lanes."
It is the second time this month that Royal Navy warships and helicopters have been activated to report on Russian activity in UK waters.
HMS Ledbury, HMS Hurworth and 814 Naval Air Squadron were activated to shadow RFN Stoikiy as the Russian warship sailed west through the English Channel to meet two merchant vessels, Sparta IV and General Skobelev, which were returning from the Mediterranean.
The Steregushchiy-class corvette subsequently escorted the two cargo ships eastbound, with Portsmouth-based HMS Hurworth watching every move as the Russian group headed back to the Baltic Sea as part of combined NATO efforts.
Lieutenant Commander Craig Clark, Commanding Officer of HMS Ledbury, added: 'Escorting Russian vessels through UK waters is a vital demonstration of our unwavering commitment to national security. Whilst the Hunt-class is uniquely equipped for mine and sea-bed warfare, maritime security remains a crucial task that any Royal Navy warship is trained to undertake.'
Able Seaman Mine Warfare Wayne Slater, from HMS Hurworth, said: 'Driving the ship close to the Russian vessels has been a new experience for me as a helmsman. Everything has been safe and professional but we're all trained to make sure we can respond to any aggression or incident whenever non-allied warships are operating near UK waters.'
Lieutenant Patrick Bingham, Gunnery Officer from HMS Hurworth, added: 'As a former merchant navy officer, I know how important freedom of the seas is to the lifeline of goods and raw materials upon which our economy depends.
'The Royal Navy has been a guardian of the freedom of the seas for centuries and I am privileged to have contributed to this mission.'
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