One of Vladimir Putin‘s deadly attack submarines has been shadowed by the Royal Navy as it prowled off the English coast.
The RFN Novorossiysk, a heavily armed Kilo-class sub, was detected as it made its way through the North Sea and into the English Channel.
Patrol ship HMS Mersey, based in Portsmouth, was scrambled to intercept the Russian boat, tracking it west during the voyage.
While a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and a specialist submarine hunting Merlin aircraft from 824 Naval Air Squadron were also deployed in the air.
The British warship and helicopters used their powerful sensors to stalk the Novorossiysk and its Goryn-class tug boat, Yakov Grebelski.
It’s the sixth time Mersey has been scrambled in the last three months to track Russian vessels skulking in British waters.
And it comes just a week after the patrol ship – which is crewed by about 50 sailors – and fellow Portsmouth ships HMS Duncan and HMS Trent sent out to shadow Russian frigate RFN Admiral Grigorovich and corvette RFN Boikiy in UK waters.
Speaking of the latest mission, Mersey’s skipper Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle, said: ‘This operation is another clear demonstration of the Royal Navy’s enduring commitment to safeguarding the United Kingdom’s maritime interests.
One Vladimir Putin ‘s deadly attack submarines has been shadowed by the Royal Navy as it prowled off the English coast
HMS Mersey (seen rear), was scrambled to intercept the Russian boat, alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin aircraft from 824 Naval Air Squadron
The Russian boat was spotted in the North Sea before entering the English Channel
‘Monitoring the transit of naval vessels through our area of responsibility remains a fundamental task; one that ensures we maintain situational awareness and the ability to respond swiftly when required.
‘I am proud of my ship’s company, whose professionalism, cohesion, and constant readiness continue to reflect the high standards expected of Royal Navy personnel.’
The operation to monitor Putin’s warships is part of the government’s ongoing mission to safeguard British waters.
It comes amid concerns the Russian tyrant could use his so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of merchant vessels and spy ships to sabotage key underwater power cables.
For the Merlin helicopter crew of 824 NAS, based at RNAS Culdrose, shadowing the Novorossiysk was a chance sharpen their sub-hunting skills.
Commander Alex Kelley, 824 NAS commanding officer, said: ‘This opportunity allowed 824 NAS to expose junior aircrew, currently conducting training on the Merlin Mk2 Operational Conversion Unit, to reactive operations in cooperation with HMS Mersey to protect UK waters.’
HMS Mersey handed over monitoring duties to Nato allies as the Russians left UK waters, with the Merlin and Wildcat returning to their respective air stations in Culdrose in Cornwall and Yeovilton in Somerset.
Russian vessels passing through British waters are routinely monitored by the navy, with the tracking of the war
