The passage of two Russian Navy amphibious assault ships through the English Channel has once again raised concerns for the Royal Navy, which deployed one of its Type 23 frigates, along with additional assets, to monitor and track their movements. These actions add to similar operations recorded in December and January as part of ongoing missions to monitor the activity of Russian merchant and military vessels transiting from the Mediterranean to the Baltic and North Sea Fleets.
In this latest instance, officially reported yesterday, February 15, the passage of the Ropucha-class (Project 775) amphibious assault ship Aleksandr Otrakovskiy and the Ivan Gren, the lead ship of its namesake class (also known as Project 11711), both belonging to the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet, was confirmed in the English Channel. Also reported was the presence of the merchant vessels Sparta I, Sparta II, and General Skobelev, alongside the tanker Yelnya.
As soon as the six vessels entered the English Channel from the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy ordered the deployment of the Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke, the patrol vessel HMS Tyne, and a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, supported by the logistics ship RFA Tideforce, to monitor their transit.
“While this particular Russian task group was not assessed as a specific threat to the United Kingdom, this operation, carried out in close coordination, demonstrates our firm determination to protect our nation’s territorial waters and the Critical National Infrastructure on which our economic prosperity depends,” stated Commander David Armstrong, commanding officer of HMS Iron Duke.
Since late last year, units based at Plymouth have been on high alert for every Russian vessel passing through the English Channel. For instance, at the end of January, the Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and the HMS Tyne were deployed for a similar mission, detecting the transit of the Kilo II-class attack submarine Novorossiysk.
Regarding the Russian task group monitored yesterday, it split into two formations during its transit, which were tracked by the British frigate and patrol vessel. Although it was not specifically highlighted, in addition to the presence of Wildcat helicopters, the Royal Air Force (RAF) also deployed one of its P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
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