The British Royal Navy closely followed a Russian fleet as it crossed the busy Channel of La Mancha, situated between England and France. This incident occurred amidst heightened tensions over the alleged sabotage of submarine communications lines, attributed to the Russian “ghost fleet.” The Royal Navy’s war vessels and airplanes monitored the Russian fleet, which consisted of the RFS Ivan Gren, the merchant ships Sparta, Sparta II, and General Skobelev, as well as the Petrolero Yelnya.
The group of six Russian ships had departed from the Mediterranean, navigating the International Maritime Route of the Channel of La Mancha towards a Russian port in the Baltic. According to Commander David Armstrong, an officer under the HMS Iron Duke, “While it was not evaluated that this particular Russian working group represents a specific threat to the United Kingdom, this closely coordinated operation demonstrates our firm determination to protect the territorial seas of our nation and the critical national infrastructure, on which our economic prosperity depends.”
The British Ministry of Defense took a more direct stance, stating, “We see them, we know what they are doing and we will not hesitate to take energetic measures to protect this country.” A video released by the Ministry showcases the British ships marking the Russian fleet. The Royal Navy emphasized that it is not enough to expect non-allied warships passing through their waters to not pose a threat to maritime security; they will be vigilant to ensure this does not happen.
Operation Details
The Royal Navy maintained constant surveillance of the Russian task group, utilizing advanced sensors and technology to guarantee precise information about traffic. The Iron Duke frigate, based in Plymouth, played a key role in this operation. Although a routine task for the Navy, it remains a complex operation requiring close coordination and cooperation with European allies, who deployed their own naval assets and air force.
The Tideforce was the first ship in the United Kingdom to escort the task group, just west of Brest on the French coast. The Russian group was divided into two in the channel, with a Wildcat from the 815 Naval Air Squadron and a P8 maritime patrol plane from the RAF providing critical information about their movements from the air.
Continued Vigilance
This operation continues a trend of monitoring alleged Russian spy ships. Last month, the HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne tracked the Yantar through the Canal and the Dover Strait. The Royal Navy’s commitment to protecting the United Kingdom’s territorial seas and critical national infrastructure remains unwavering, as evidenced by their recent actions in response to the Russian fleet’s presence in the Channel of La Mancha.