Royal Navy and RAF reveal they have been tracking Russian vessels in the English Channel, North Sea and North Atlantic in joint operation as Putin’s forces enter British waters

The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have revealed that Vladimir Putin’s forces entered British waters after tracking Russian vessels close to the UK.

In the latest monitoring update, the armed forces said their warships and patrol aircraft tracked a series of Russian warships as they travelled close to the UK, through the English Channel, North Sea, and North Atlantic.

HMS Tyne, HMS Portland and P8 Poseidon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth carried out the monitoring operation of the Russian navy movements in waters close to the UK.

Plymouth-based HMS Portland and the Poseidons worked together to monitor Russian vessels, including corvettes Boikiy and Grad, cruiser Marshal Ustinov, the Udaloy-class destroyer Severomorsk and others.

A navy spokesman said many of the Russian vessels were associated with the Russian Navy Day, which was held in St Petersburg on July 30.

An RAF P8 aircraft (pictured) helped track a series of Russian warships as they travelled close to the UK including through the English Channel

The spokesperson added: ‘With their collective array of powerful sensors for locating and tracking, the British submarine-hunting frigate and maritime patrol aircraft are a formidable duo for locating and monitoring operations, allowing for constant surveillance from the sea and air.

‘Having detected a ship or submarine, the aircraft can communicate the position, allowing a warship to intercept and track.’

Lieutenant Sam Charleston, one of HMS Portland’s bridge watch-keeping officers, said: ‘It was rewarding to conduct operations protecting UK waters and interests. The team worked hard in rough weather and difficult conditions.

‘This is my third time conducting this type of operation and I enjoyed seeing the wide-area search capability that the P-8 brings and working with the RAF aircrew.’

Commander Ed Moss-Ward, HMS Portland’s commanding officer, said: ‘P8 aircraft operating with a Type 23 frigate with an embarked Merlin helicopter provides the UK with a world-leading anti-submarine warfare capability.’

Portsmouth-based HMS Tyne shadowed three Russian ships in separate tasks, including Merkury, a Steregushchiy-class corvette and research ship Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov.

HMS Tyne (pictured), HMS Portland and P8 Poseidon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth carried out the monitoring operation of the Russian navy movements in waters close to the UK

The offshore patrol vessel’s executive officer, Lieutenant Ryan Grieg, said: ‘The operations Tyne has executed over the last few weeks are a reflection of the hard work and dedication delivered by her ship’s company all year round.

‘She has again demonstrated her alacrity and flexibility in proving herself as an efficient asset providing assurance and security in UK home waters.’