Royal Navy Warship Tracks Russian Spy Ship In English Channel

Royal Navy warship HMS Diamondis shadowing a Russian Navy spy ship as it passes through the English Channel.

The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer plus a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton were dispatched to follow the Russian underwater reconnaissance ship Yantar as it approached the UK’s area of interest.

HMS Diamond set off from Portsmouth on Wednesday evening to meet the Russian vessel Yantar on Friday morning and will continue to monitor the vessel’s movements and activities as it moves north.

Commander Ben Keith, the Commanding Officer of HMS Diamond, said: “HMS Diamond is proud to be doing her part to protect the UK area of interest by monitoring the Russian vessel Yantar on her transit.

“This is routine business for the Royal Navy, and my ship’s company are well-trained and ready at short notice to deploy for such tasking.”

Yantar is a specialist reconnaissance ship which carries two unmanned submersible vehicles, which can descend to the seabed and send back images as well as collecting items from the bottom of the ocean.

The warship took over from a French Navy ship which had been monitoring its progress through the Bay of Biscay.

HMS Diamond can currently be called upon at any time to help prevent arms trafficking, people smuggling, conduct counter-terrorism operations, maritime search, and rescue or escort duties - similar to the one taking place.