British naval forces tracked two Russian military vessels passing through the Dover Strait during a recent fortnight-long operation, according to defense officials in London. HMS Severn monitored the corvette Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya before transferring surveillance responsibilities to allied forces near the Brittany coastline while maintaining distant observation capability.
Defence Secretary John Healey has documented a 30 percent surge in Russian maritime activity threatening British territorial waters over the past two years. The Stoikiy previously required Royal Navy attention when multiple vessels shadowed its passage through the same waterway toward the Baltic region. Officials characterized the pattern as evidence of broader aggression affecting European security beyond the Ukrainian conflict zone.
Authorities also registered concerns after the spy vessel Yantar deployed laser systems against RAF aircraft conducting tracking missions off Scottish shores, prompting warnings from Healey about Moscow's dangerous escalation tactics.
Defence Secretary John Healey has documented a 30 percent surge in Russian maritime activity threatening British territorial waters over the past two years. The Stoikiy previously required Royal Navy attention when multiple vessels shadowed its passage through the same waterway toward the Baltic region. Officials characterized the pattern as evidence of broader aggression affecting European security beyond the Ukrainian conflict zone.
Authorities also registered concerns after the spy vessel Yantar deployed laser systems against RAF aircraft conducting tracking missions off Scottish shores, prompting warnings from Healey about Moscow's dangerous escalation tactics.
