Royal Navy Reveals 72-Hour Tracking Operation Around UK Waters

The Royal Navy says HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn completed a 72-hour operation tracking Russian vessels through the North Sea and English Channel. A Merlin helicopter extended surveillance near the Strait of Dover as the ships monitored destroyer Admiral Levchenko, sanctioned cargo vessels General Skobelev and Sparta, and frigate Neustrashimy. British forces handed monitoring duties to a NATO ally near Ushant, off France. HMS Mersey separately monitored Russian replenishment vessel Akademik Pashin, while First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins warned of maritime-security and environmental risks from Russia’s shadow fleet.