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Royal Navy, NATO Track Russian Frigate and Freighter in UK Waters Over Three-Day Operation

The mission underscores round-the-clock maritime vigilance under the government’s Plan for Change.

HMS Iron Duke shadowing the Russian warship
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Overview

  • HMS Iron Duke and a Wildcat from 815 Naval Air Squadron shadowed RFN Neustrashimy and cargo ship Sparta IV between September 20 and 23 across the North Sea and English Channel.
  • Near Ushant off Brittany, a NATO partner assumed monitoring of Sparta IV toward the Mediterranean as Iron Duke continued tracking Neustrashimy on its return toward the Baltic.
  • The coordinated effort involved naval assets from four NATO nations using shipborne sensors and aerial surveillance to maintain contact.
  • Defence minister Luke Pollard said Russian warships are transiting the English Channel more frequently and highlighted the need to safeguard UK waters and undersea cables.
  • The Royal Navy reported Iron Duke has been activated 18 times in the past year, monitoring 25 Russian vessels, while independent reporting links Sparta IV to military cargoes without official UK confirmation.