For the second time in a matter of weeks, the Royal Navy says its warships have tracked a suspected Russian spy ship as it sailed through waters close to the UK. The first incident occurred on Christmas Day when a Russian force was encountered in the North Sea.
The latest happened as Yantar, believed to be used by the Russian Navy for intelligence gathering, was heading towards the English Channel. Yantar was shadowed by HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne.
And, although he describes it as ‘routine business’, Somerset’s commanding officer Matthew Teare goes on to say: “It is nonetheless vital work for the UK’s security and I am proud of the professionalism of my crew.”
Somerset covertly launched its Merlin helicopter, which located the Russian ship as it made its way north towards the English Channel.
Then the Type 23 frigate closed in on Yantar’s location and intercepted it in the entrance to the Channel, south of the traffic separation scheme at Ushant, near France.
The Plymouth-based warship took over monitoring duties from NATO allies after they shadowed Yantar in waters close to France.
Somerset maintained a close distance to Yantar through the Channel and the Strait of Dover.
Patrol ship Tyne was also monitoring Yantar – last in waters around the UK in November when its activities were monitored by several Royal Navy units. According to an online source, Yantar spends a lot of time near undersea communication cables.
“It’s hard to overstate the importance of data cables, oil and gas pipelines, electricity cables for wind power and interconnectors that run under the sea, to the wealth and wellbeing of our island country,” says Tyne’s commanding officer, Hugo Floyer.
“We are proud to play a part in protecting these vast networks that are out of our sight and often out of our minds, but are so vital to our nation and allies.
“The ship’s company of HMS Tyne know how important this job is, and I know they are all incredibly proud to serve at sea and play a part securing the energy and data we all rely on every moment, every day.”
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