The Royal Navy shadowed the Russian Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar and tug Altay through the English Channel for three days, deploying an auxiliary ship and aircrew prepared for anti-submarine action. Krasnodar remained on the surface throughout despite poor weather, and monitoring was handed to a NATO ally near Ouessant. Defence Secretary John Healey announced a multi-million-pound programme to bolster anti-submarine capabilities as London reports a roughly one-third rise in Russian submarine activity near UK waters.
Royal Navy Tracks Russian Submarine Krasnodar Through English Channel Amid Rising Underwater Tensions
The Royal Navy said it shadowed a Russian Kilo-class submarine, the Krasnodar, and its escort tug Altay as they transited the English Channel over a three-day period, part of stepped-up patrols aimed at countering what UK officials describe as growing "underwater threats." A British naval auxiliary vessel equipped with an onboard helicopter was deployed to monitor the pair, the navy said.
Operation Details
The Russian vessels arrived from the North Sea and entered the Channel. Specialist Royal Navy aircrew were prepared to switch to anti-submarine operations if Krasnodar dived, but the submarine remained on the surface throughout the operation despite unfavourable weather conditions.
"There is nothing like a Russian submarine to focus the mind for any mariner," Captain James Allen of the Royal Navy said in the service's statement.
Near the island of Ouessant (Ushant) off north‑west France, British forces handed monitoring responsibilities to a NATO ally; the Royal Navy did not specify which partner took over.
Broader Context And Responses
Defence Secretary John Healey announced a multi-million-pound programme to strengthen the Royal Navy's anti-submarine capabilities amid what ministers describe as increased Russian underwater activity. The announcement followed reports — cited by the BBC — that a Russian intelligence ship recently targeted Royal Air Force pilots with lasers while the pilots monitored the vessel near UK waters; London says that ship was being used to gather intelligence and to map undersea cables.
NATO and UK leaders issued stern warnings about Russia's intent. In a speech in Berlin, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that Europe must prepare for a serious confrontation, saying: "We are Russia's next target." Britain's armed forces minister, Al Carns, added: "The shadow of war is knocking on Europe's door once more. That's the reality. We've got to be prepared to deter it."
Recent Pattern Of Russian Activity
London says Russian submarine activity in and around UK waters has increased by roughly one-third over the past two years. Earlier this month the UK and Norway signed an agreement to operate a joint frigate force intended to locate and track submarines in the North Atlantic.
The latest operation follows a string of similar encounters: in July British forces shadowed the Russian submarine Novorossiysk in UK territorial waters; in January the Royal Navy tracked the spy ship Yantar; and in late December the frigate HMS Somerset monitored a Russian naval group moving from the North Sea into the Channel. There have also been multiple air incidents in the past year in which RAF jets intercepted Russian reconnaissance aircraft near UK airspace.
The Royal Navy says these repeated shadowing operations and international cooperation aim to uphold maritime security and deter activities that could threaten undersea infrastructure or national defence.
