HMS Mersey shadows Russian tanker through English Channel

A Royal Navy warship has shadowed a Russian tanker through the English Channel.

Portsmouth-based patrol vessel HMS Mersey monitored the movements of Akademik Pashin from the North Sea, through the Dover Strait and down the Channel towards the North Atlantic, the Navy said.

Pashin is the first tanker built for the Russian Navy since the end of the Cold War and supplies Russia's northern fleet with fuel for operations.

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Able Seaman Jordan Mavin, the first sailor to sight the Pashin, said: "We were aware of her movements for some time, and everything came together to allow us to shadow her.

"Operating so close to our own coastline I was proud to be part of the team who monitored her movements."

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander James Mitchell, added: "It has been a team effort, working with our NATO partners monitoring the movements of Russian vessels through the North Sea and English Channel.

"Whilst most of the UK has been enjoying a record summer of warm weather, Mersey is just one of a number of Royal Naval vessels maintaining a continuous presence at sea, protecting UK interests."

The Pashin has continued sailing into the Atlantic, while HMS Mersey has resumed home water patrols, the Navy said.

It comes after HMS Portland tracked two Russian submarines in Britain's area of interest.