UK Navy Intercepts Russian Corvette and Tanker Amid Surge in Moscows Maritime Activity

A British naval patrol vessel, HMS Severn, intercepted a Russian corvette and a tanker in the English Channel in recent days, the U.K. Ministry of Defence has confirmed, warning that Moscow’s naval activity in the region has spiked sharply. 

According to the MoD, the intercepted ships were the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and the tanker Yelnya, both shadowed by HMS Severn through U.K. coastal waters. After trailing the vessels for a period, the British ship handed over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany, France. 

Defence officials further report that Russian naval movements near U.K. waters have climbed by around 30% in the past two years a development that has prompted sustained alertness from British and NATO forces. 

To bolster maritime surveillance and response, the U.K. has also deployed three Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Iceland, contributing to a NATO mission focused on monitoring naval activity in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. 

This interception comes on the heels of a separate tense encounter earlier in the month when Defence Secretary John Healey accused the Russian spy ship Yantar of targeting RAF surveillance planes with lasers. British officials denounced the reported laser activity as “reckless and dangerous.” 

Healey issued a pointed warning, declaring: “We see you. We know what you’re doing.” 

 He also used the incident to press for greater defense spending, citing such naval provocations as justification for increased military readiness. 

In response, the Russian Embassy in London accused the U.K. of stoking militaristic hysteria, claiming that Moscow has no intent to threaten British security. 

Meanwhile, the Royal Navy has emphasized its commitment to constant maritime vigilance. According to naval sources, HMS Iron Duke and other vessels have been routinely tracking Russian ships, including corvettes and support tankers, in recent months. 

The operation underscores the critical importance of safeguarding UK waters, particularly as energy and undersea infrastructure remain strategic concerns.

The unfolding developments highlight a growing maritime flashpoint, with NATO and the U.K. closely watching Russia’s naval posture and signaling readiness to respond should Moscow’s presence escalate further.