Royal Navy monitors Russian shadow fleet

In July 2026, the United Kingdom — Royal Navy intensified its monitoring of Russian naval activity in UK waters and the North Atlantic, spending 21 days shadowing Russian warships and submarines. Operations increased by 25% compared to the same period in 2025. Four United Kingdom — Royal Navy vessels—HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, HMS Severn, and HMS Somerset—along with helicopters and aircraft, tracked Russian frigates Neustrashimy and Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate as they escorted shadow fleet tankers. On July 20, HMS Tyne observed Neustrashimy conducting gunnery exercises outside UK and French territorial waters. HMS Somerset completed a four-month NATO deployment in the North Atlantic, returning after sailing over 24,000 nautical miles. The increased activity follows the UK's seizure of the shadow fleet tanker Seizure of the Smyrtos in June and its sanctions on over 500 vessels. The UK Ministry of Defence reported a 30% increase in Russian naval activity over two years, including operations to deter the spy ship Russian research vessel Yantar near undersea cables off Scotland.