HMS Duncan tracks Admiral Kulakov in the foreground, as it transited through the English Channel — HMS Duncan tracked Admiral Kulakov, in the foreground, as she transited through the English Channel (Picture: Royal Navy)

Navy

Royal Navy destroyer shadows Russian warship in 'historic first' under Nato command

Nato deployed a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer to shadow a Russian Navy vessel as it transited the English Channel, in what the alliance described as a "historic first".

HMS Duncan, based in Portsmouth and operating under the direct command of Nato rather than the Royal Navy, tracked the Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov for more than 48 hours, supported by a Wildcat helicopter.

While Royal Navy warships routinely monitor Russian movements in UK waters – with a Times investigation revealing 40 such incidents since the 2022 Ukraine invasion – this marked the first time a British warship has taken this type of operation under Nato's direct operational command.

The Royal Navy stands ready

Utilising her advanced sensors and systems, the Type 45 destroyer intercepted the Kulakov in the North Sea, before monitoring her passage westward through the Channel towards the island of Ushant off the French coast.

A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron joined her to provide air support and maintain surveillance.

The coordinated effort involved three nations, including a Dutch Air Force NH90 and the French Navy.

On the naval deployment, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said: "The Royal Navy stands ready to respond to any Russian naval activity. They conduct constant monitoring operations to safeguard Britain and our territorial waters.

"Once again, the Royal Navy has deployed under Allied Maritime Command, underpinning our unwavering solidarity with Nato to counter Russian activity."

Russian naval incursions are part of a broader strategy to 'instil fear and uncertainty'

HMS Duncan's Commanding Officer, Commander Dan Lee, added: "The close coordination between UK, French and Dutch forces demonstrates the strength of our alliance and our ability to respond collectively to any activity in our region.

"Tracking and escorting the Vice Admiral Kulakov through UK waters was a clear example of Nato's interoperability in action.

"The professionalism and teamwork displayed by all involved ensured the operation was conducted safely and effectively, showcasing our shared resolve to uphold international maritime norms."

HMS Duncan is one of two Royal Navy warships attached to the alliance's Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), which patrols northern European waters.

The group conducts regular exercises, manoeuvres and port visits to strengthen ties between Nato navies.

HMS Somerset tracked the Russian merchant ship Baltic Leader as it transited through the channel earlier this year (Picture: MOD)

Patrolling northern European waters, the group also conducts an intensive programme of scheduled exercises, manoeuvres and port visits to strengthen bonds between Nato navies.

Elsewhere, the Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset recently carried out maritime security patrols in the sea lanes between Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland – the critical passage between the North Atlantic and Arctic waters.