THE Royal Navy has completed a three-day operation monitoring a Russian task group in UK waters.

HMS Somerset watched closely as Russian corvette Boikiy escorted merchant vessel Baltic Leader on its voyage from Syria through the English Channel and North Sea.

The Navy say the British Type 23 frigate utilised its powerful sensors and radars to report on Russian movements, launching her Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron to gather valuable information from the sky.

The ship worked hand in hand with UK patrol aircraft and allied NATO forces during the operation, providing constant watch on the task group.

It comes just over two weeks after the Royal Navy’s last shadowing mission – which saw HMS Iron Duke, HMS Tyne and RFA Tideforce monitor five ships, including three merchant vessels, as they sailed for a Russian Baltic port from Syria.

Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset (rear) follows Russian corvette Boikiy during a 3-day operation monitoring the progress of a Russian task group. The Royal Navy said Wednesday (5 March 2025) has completed a three-day operation monitoring a Russian task group in UK waters. HMS Somerset watched every move as Russian corvette Boikiy escorted merchant vessel Baltic Leader on its voyage from Syria through the English Channel and North Sea. The British Type 23 frigate utilised its powerful sensors and radars to report on Russian movements, launching her Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron to gather valuable information from the sky.
Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset (rear) follows Russian corvette Boikiy during a 3-day operation monitoring the progress of a Russian task group. (Royal Navy / SWNS)

Commander Joel Roberts, Commanding Officer of HMS Somerset, said: “Somerset is well versed in the escort of Russian ships, having conducted these operations on a number of occasions.

“Great professionalism has been shown by the ship’s company to remain vigilant whilst operating in UK waters and integrating with our NATO Allies to monitor Russian activity around Europe.”

Somerset began monitoring Boikiy on March 1, shadowing the warship as it headed south through the North Sea and English Channel to meet Baltic Leader to escort the vessel – which came from Syria – back to Russia.

The Plymouth-based warship remained on duty for the return journey as Boikiy and Baltic Leader met near the traffic separation scheme at Ushant, near France, before sailing through the Channel and into the North Sea.

It’s the second time this year Somerset has been activated to track Russian ships. In January, the frigate tracked suspected spy vessel, Yantar, alongside patrol ship HMS Tyne.