Headlines
UK's Royal Navy tracks Russian vessels sailing through English Channel
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 23, 2026
1 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Summary
The Royal Navy tracked Russian vessels in the English Channel, coordinating with NATO allies to ensure regional security.
Royal Navy Monitors Russian Ships in English Channel Operations
Royal Navy's Monitoring Operations
LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Britain's Royal Navy shadowed Russian vessels sailing through the English Channel in a two-day operation coordinated with NATO allies, the navy said on Friday, as the military alliance steps up monitoring of Russian shipping.
Details of the Operation
The navy said two patrol ships, supported by a Wildcat helicopter, were dispatched to intercept the Russian warship Boikiy and accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev as they headed north, before handing the monitoring over to a NATO ally.
Collaboration with NATO
The operation comes a day after Britain said it provided support to a French operation to board a sanctioned Russian oil tanker as it passed through the Straits of Gibraltar, in a bid to choke off the funds that fuel Russian's invasion of Ukraine.
National Security Implications
Britain's navy routinely conducts shadowing missions to monitor any potential threats to national security, including to critical infrastructure such as undersea cables or pipelines.
(Reporting by Muvija M; editing by Sarah Young)
Key Takeaways
- •Royal Navy shadowed Russian vessels in the English Channel.
- •Operation coordinated with NATO allies for security.
- •Two patrol ships and a Wildcat helicopter were involved.
- •Monitoring handed over to a NATO ally.
- •Part of broader efforts to monitor Russian activities.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK's Royal Navy tracks Russian vessels sailing through English Channel
1What is the Royal Navy?
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom, responsible for protecting the nation's interests at sea and conducting military operations.
2What is NATO?
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries from North America and Europe, established for mutual defense against aggression.
