Royal Navy escorts Russian submarine through Channel
A RUSSIAN attack submarine was shadowed by two Royal Navy warships as it passed through the Channel during a return journey from the Mediterranean.
Over two days “every movement of the Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar” was monitored by HMS Tyne and HMS Mersey after they took over the job of following the vessel from the French light frigate FS Enseigne de vaisseau Jacoubet, off the coast of Ushant Island in Brittany on Sunday.
The Krasnodar, which was built in the former Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy in the 1980s, has been conducting a surfaced transit from the Eastern Mediterranean, with its ocean-going tug, Sergey Balk, in support.
The announcement of the monitoring comes after security services are set to be given extra powers to try to prevent foreign interference in British democracy following a damning report from MPS on the potential threat posed by Russia.
The Daily Telegraph understands the “timing is coincidental” and the voyage “was routine”. A source said “this was a long-planned move” but could not “comment further on Russian activity”.
A Navy spokesman said: “Portsmouth-based Tyne, an offshore patrol vessel, picked up the Krasnodar at the south-western end of the English Channel after the French Navy tracked its journey through the Bay of Biscay.
“After sailing the Channel, sister ship HMS Mersey took over duties while the Russians headed through the Strait of Dover and into the North Sea on Monday.”
Lieutenant Justin Shirtcliff, HMS Tyne’s operations officer, said: “Tyne responded in a co-ordinated effort with allies to shadow the Russian submarine and her escort while transiting the English Channel. This routine undertaking is an enduring task for the Royal Navy, in which Tyne and her sister ships of the Royal Navy’s Overseas Patrol Squadron play a key role.”
Lt Cmdr Will Edwards-bannon, HMS Mersey’s commanding officer, said: “It has been impressive to see, first-hand, the seamless co-ordination between allied ships and aircraft from various nations involved in this operation. I am very proud of the disciplined way in which my ship’s company has responded to the challenge of maintaining our readiness for operations through the challenges of Covid-19 which, along with the support we receive from our families, has enabled Mersey to, once again, successfully play our part in protecting our nation’s interests.”