The British Royal Navy carried out a three-day tracking operation to monitor the movement of the Krasnodar, a Kilo II-class attack submarine of the Russian Navy, as it crossed the North Sea, the Strait of Dover, and the English Channel. The maneuver was conducted in coordination with NATO allies and is part of the United Kingdom’s actions to preserve maritime security in a context of increasing Russian activity in the region.
According to the British Royal Navy, surveillance of the submarine was conducted by a Merlin helicopter from the 814th Naval Air Squadron and the logistics ship RFA Tidesurge, which also followed the Russian tug Altay. The helicopter remained embarked on the RFA Tidesurge throughout the mission, prepared to initiate anti-submarine operations in the event that the Krasnodar submerged. However, the submarine sailed on the surface despite adverse weather conditions.
The commander of the RFA Tidesurge, Captain James Allen, stated: “There’s nothing like a Russian submarine to focus the mind of any sailor. Our work over three days involved the teamwork and professionalism of the entire crew of RFA Tidesurge, of 814 Naval Air Squadron’s ‘Atlantic Flight,’ and the interoperability with NATO regional allies. We worked together as a show of presence and deterrence as we transited from the North Sea toward the English Channel.”
For his part, Lieutenant Commander David Emery, head of Atlantic Flight of the 814th Naval Air Squadron, affirmed: “Maintaining an overt presence and continuous surveillance of Russian vessels in U.K. waters is vital for national security. The flexibility and professionalism of the RFA Tidesurge crew allow us to project our helicopter anywhere, day or night, in the maritime environment.”
The Royal Navy continued tracking until the submarine and tug arrived northwest of France, near the island of Ushant, where surveillance was handed over to an allied unit.
Recent background of Russian activity monitored by the United Kingdom
The operation involving the Krasnodar adds to a series of recent interventions by the British Royal Navy to monitor the passage of Russian units through areas near the United Kingdom and NATO.
In September, the frigate HMS Iron Duke, supported by a Wildcat helicopter from the 815th Squadron, tracked the Russian frigate Neustrashimy and the cargo ship Sparta IV during their transit through the English Channel. The U.K. Minister for Defence Readiness and Defence Industry, Luke Pollard, stated on that occasion: “Russian warships are increasingly transiting the English Channel. The Royal Navy protects the United Kingdom 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to oversee Russian movements, ensuring the security of our waters and submarine cables (…).”
In October, the destroyer HMS Duncan, a Type 45 ship, was deployed under the command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) to track the Russian destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov in the English Channel. The mission lasted 48 hours and was described as “historic,” as it was the first of its kind carried out by a Type 45 under direct NATO command. Tracking was maintained until the Russian ship was relieved by French units upon passing near the island of Ushant.
In November, the Royal Navy deployed the frigate HMS Somerset and the patrol vessel HMS Severn to follow the spy ship Yantar, the corvette Stoikiy, and the tanker Yelnya as they transited through waters near the Alliance. During that operation, the Yantar employed lasers against an RAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft and carried out GPS interference that affected HMS Somerset and civilian vessels. According to British authorities, these actions are part of tactics associated with so-called “hybrid warfare.”
This operation also involved four NATO countries and extended over three days, with rotation of assets as the Russian vessels approached different areas of responsibility.
*Images obtained from the British Royal Navy.
You may also like: The Russian Navy demonstrated its nuclear deterrence capabilities with the launch of a Sineva ballistic missile from a Delta IV-class submarine
