Royal Navy Shadows Second Russian Ship Through Channel In A Week

HMS Hurworth shadowing Yuri Ivano (Image: Crown Copyright).

The Royal Navy has shadowed a second Russian vessel through the English channel in the space of a week.

Portsmouth-based minehunter HMS Hurworth monitored the Russian intelligence-gathering ship, Yuri Ivanov.

Last week, Hurworth and a Wildcat HMA2 helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron based at Yeovilton were dispatched to monitor the Admiral Makarov.

Other UK vessels HMS Diamond, HMS Montrose and HMS Mersey have also been involved in escorting Russian ships in the last couple of months.

Lieutenant Commander Mark Heward, the Commanding Officer of HMS Hurworth, said: "The task to monitor the Yuri Ivanov through UK waters is absolutely routine for us.

“Russian units frequently proceed or return from deployments around the world just as our own units do.

“Nevertheless, maintaining the UK’s maritime security remains an important task especially in periods of increased activity such as this."