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The Royal Navy has reported tracking a Russian submarine as it passed through the English Channel, aiming to protect UK maritime boundaries. The vessel in question, the Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar, was monitored on the surface while moving from the North Sea through the Strait of Dover into the English Channel. A Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tanker maintained close surveillance throughout the journey.
The operation involved the RFA tanker Tidesurge, which was equipped with a specialized Merlin helicopter, and took place over a three-day period. The tanker tracked both the Krasnodar submarine and its accompanying tugboat, Altay. According to the Royal Navy, this mission reflects the government’s determination to maintain the security and integrity of UK waters. Captain James Allen, commanding officer of the Tidesurge, described the mission as a “show of presence and deterrence” during their transit from the North Sea to the English Channel.
The Royal Navy stated it was prepared to switch to anti-submarine tactics if the submarine had submerged. The monitoring continued until the vessels neared the northwest coast of France, where the responsibility for tracking was transferred to a NATO ally. This event adds to a growing pattern of Russian naval presence near the UK, with the government reporting a 30% rise in Russian vessels posing potential threats over the last two years. Russia, on the other hand, has claimed that the UK is the provocateur in these encounters.
In recent weeks, the Defence Secretary revealed the Atlantic Bastion programme, which aims to protect vital undersea cables and pipelines from threats attributed to Russia. Despite this initiative, some critics express doubts about the Royal Navy’s capacity to fully address these security concerns. This announcement followed reports that a Russian spy ship had reportedly directed lasers at RAF pilots monitoring it near UK waters. The UK government accuses the vessel of intelligence gathering and mapping undersea infrastructure. Defence Secretary John Healey issued a clear statement to Russian President Vladimir Putin: “We see you. We know what you are doing. And we are ready.” Meanwhile, the Russian embassy denied interest in British underwater communications and called on the UK to avoid any provocative actions that could heighten tensions on the European continent
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