Navy tracks suspicious Russian ‘spy ships' in the English Channel
A British minehunter and helicopter were deployed on Wednesday to escort Admiral Vladimirskiy, a Russian survey ship, as it travelled along the British south coast.
Built in Poland in the 1970s, the Vladimirskiy once served the Soviet Union and it is now suspected of being part of the Kremlin's shadow fleet of spy ships, which are fitted with monitoring equipment.
HMS Cattistock, which detects and destroys mines in the sea, worked closely with the Wildcat, a multi-role helicopter which operates from Royal Navy boats, to 'keep a constant watch' through the busy shipping lanes.
A Russian landing ship known as RFN Alexander Otrakovsky and a Russian merchant vessel known as MV Ascalon were later also escorted through the Channel and North Sea.
The two Russian ships had recently left the Mediterranean and were sailing towards the Baltic Sea when they were escorted by the British Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and fleet tanker RFA Tidesurge.
Repeat offenders
The operations were revealed by the Royal Navy a week after its warships and helicopters tracked a Russian task group returning from Syria as it passed through British waters.
The same group, including the minehunter, the helicopter, the Type 23 Frigate and the tanker, were used to monitor and report every move of four Russian vessels as they passed through the English Channel and the North Sea.
It marked the third time in six weeks that the Royal Navy has shadowed Russian task groups returning from Syria.
HMS Cattistock's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Rob Garner, said: 'Cattistock has escorted a number of Russian warships and government-owned vessels through UK waters in recent weeks and months, demonstrating the Royal Navy's operational readiness and steadfast commitment to UK security at sea.
'I am extremely proud of my ship's company's professionalism and determination to get the job done as we continue to work closely with other Royal Navy ships and aircraft, the RAF P8 force and fellow Nato navies.'
The Royal Navy said that HMS Somerset has been activated three times to monitor Russian convoys returning from the Mediterranean in the past month alone.
Commander Joel Roberts said: 'Somerset has been frequently activated to conduct this type of operation given the tempo of Russian activity around the United Kingdom's territorial and sensitive waters.'
He added that the Royal Navy offers 'deterrence, persistence, flexibility and can deliver or facilitate a range of military and diplomatic options'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Pro-Palestine protesters chant ‘RAF shame on you' at air base demonstration
Pro-Palestine protesters chanted 'RAF shame on you' as they held a demonstration outside an air base calling for an embargo on selling arms to Israel. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered along the barbed wire fence of RAF High Wycombe on Saturday afternoon at the protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Protesters held banners that said 'end British military collaboration with Israel' and '61,000+ killed, 600 RAF spy flights'. There were chants of 'RAF you work for us, Israel is not your boss', 'RAF shame, shame – killing children in your name' and 'RAF blood on your hands'. A large Palestine flag was erected in front of a replica Second World War Hurricane fighter plane outside the entrance to the air base, with organisers bussing in protesters from High Wycombe railway station. The demonstrators assembled outside the air base held a large red banner as they chanted 'we are the red line, UK for Palestine', with protesters banging pots and drumming throughout the protest. Thames Valley Police said no arrests were made at the protest. Speaking at the demonstration, Adnan Hmidan, chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, said: 'The RAF is not just a bystander, it is a partner in collective punishment. 'It is a partner in ethnic cleansing and the most important thing is it is a partner in the genocide against the people in Gaza. 'Every war plane that reaches Israel with British parts or British support makes this country complicit in the killing of children.' Addressing the crowds, activist Andrew Feinstein said: 'For the last 22 months, there are more RAF spy planes flying over Gaza than there have been Israeli Air Force spy planes. 'That information then gets relayed to the IDF to inform what they call their targeting decisions, but we know that their targeting is totally indiscriminate. 'So, the people who sit in these buildings are the ones guiding the IDF around Gaza. That is active participation in a genocide. 'The people sitting in these buildings should sit for the rest of their lives in The Hague in prison for their participation in genocide.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: 'On 16th August, as part of our summer of action for Gaza, we will be surrounding RAF High Wycombe, drawing on the legacy of protest at air bases like Greenham Common, and showing the strength of the public demand for an arms embargo.' A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: 'We are aware of a protest being planned to take place in High Wycombe today. 'We will work with the organisers, partners and the public to facilitate peaceful protest, balancing the rights of all and to keep our communities safe.' RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire houses Headquarters Air Command and was originally designed to house RAF Bomber Command in the late 1930s. The station is also the headquarters of the European Air Group and the UK Space Command. Last weekend in central London, 15,000 people demonstrated peacefully in support of the Palestinian cause with only one arrest, the Metropolitan Police said, adding that 522 were arrested 'for an illegal show of support for Palestine Action on the same day'. The Metropolitan Police said on Friday that a further 60 people will be prosecuted for 'showing support for the proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action'. The force said this follows the arrest of more than 700 people since the group was banned on July 5, including 522 in central London last Saturday. More prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks and arrangements have been put in place 'that will enable us to investigate and prosecute significant numbers each week if necessary', the Met said. Last week, the Met confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales for offences against section 13 of the Terrorism Act relating to Palestine Action. Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK Government in July, with the ban meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
British dad found dead in water during Turkey holiday boat trip with his son
A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of Scottish dad John Nelson, 47, who was found dead in the water, while on holiday with his son, near Marmaris in Turkey A Brit family's holiday ended in tragedy after a loving dad was found dead in water while on a boat trip near Marmaris in Turkey. John Nelson, from Arbroath in Scotland, was on vacation with his son Josh and Josh's girlfriend Sharon Stuart, when he was died on July 31 off the coast of Turnuc. Sailors from others boats pulled the 47-year-old from the water and passed him into the care of paramedics and the Coastguard, but sadly nothing could be done to save him. An investigation by the local police into the dad's death has now been launched. Paying tribute to his dad online, Josh wrote: "While we were away on a family holiday, my dad's life was tragically taken in an accident at sea. It's a loss that has shaken my whole world and one I'm still struggling to put into words. "My dad was my role model, my biggest supporter and my best friend. We shared so many laughs, deep conversations and special moments together. "Over the last few years, I watched him transform his health, overcome many obstacles and push through some of life's biggest struggles. He came out stronger, happier and more full of life than ever before. He truly cherished every day he was given." Now, John's family have set up a fundraiser to help cover his funeral costs, the Daily Record reports. Josh added: "Many of you know me from Impact Carnoustie, where I work as a personal trainer. "My work and community mean so much to me and it's hard to step away at a time like this - but my family and I are now facing the difficult task of arranging the funeral and covering the costs. "I've set up a fundraiser to help us during this heartbreaking time. Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean the world to us. If you're unable to donate, sharing this would be an incredible help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love, kindness and support you've shown me and my family." A tribute from John's partner Sharon added: "We are totally heartbroken to announce the passing of John Nelson, whose life was tragically taken away at sea during our first family holiday in Turkey. "We are lost for words and devastated. John had turned his life around for the better. We were so proud off him and we're just so grateful he got the chance to spent this last time on holiday with his son Josh, living his best life. Our lives will never be the same without him." A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We have not been approached for assistance on this case, but our staff stand ready to assist British nationals overseas 24/7." A fundraiser has been created to help his family with the cost. You can find it here. A funeral will take place at Parkgrove Crematorium, near Friockheim, on August 27.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Sensitive documents on Trump and Putin summit found in public printer by hotel guests
The eight page planning dossier appears to have been left in a public printer by bungling officials - and contains previously undisclosed information about the summit Hotel guests in Alaska found potentially sensitive documents detailing plans for the summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, apparently left behind by bungling officials. Eight pages, apparently produced by US staff, included phone numbers of government staff members, precise meeting places and timings - as well as lunch plans for the summit. They were apparently left behind on one of the public printers at the Hotel Captain Cook, a four-star hotel 20 minutes away from the Anchorage air base where the summit took place. It comes after Trump looked tired as he returned to Washington after the summit. Donald Trump plans Zelensky and Putin meeting but there's a special condition According to NPR, the printed sequence of events was supposed to include a working lunch - with a simple menu of salad, filet mignon and creme brûlée. The menu said the "luncheon" was "in honour of his excellency Vladimir Putin". But the lunch was apparently cancelled, as was a planned presentation of a gift of an American bald eagle desk ornament, which Trump apparently planned to give Putin. Trump parroted Kremlin talking points - after Vladimir Putin ran rings around him at his half-baked Alaska summit. The US President invited Volodymyr Zelensky to what could be a fiery meeting in Washington on Monday. But there was no sign of a ceasefire from Russia - or the "severe consequences" Trump promised if Putin failed to agree one. Instead, he's leaned closer to the ruthless Russian dictator's position - abandoning calls for a ceasefire in favour of Russia and Ukraine working towards a final peace deal, one of Putin's demands. Meanwhile Putin shows no signs he was willing to give up the parts of Ukraine he's invaded. Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. And by literally rolling out the red carpet for him, greeting him warmly and praising him lavishly, Trump gave Putin the main thing he really wanted from the summit - to look like a world leader, rather than an international pariah. But, in a change of attitude that could provide some small hope for European leaders, Trump appeared open to US involvement in defending Ukraine from further Russian incursions.
