British Navy tracks Russian submarine in the English Channel
The British Royal Navy says it has been tracking the Russian submarine Krasnodar as it sailed from the North Sea through the Strait of Dover to the English Channel. The submarine was moving on the surface and was constantly monitored by the RFA Tidesurge tanker with a specialised Merlin helicopter on board. In the event of the Russian boat's submergence, the fleet was ready to launch anti-submarine operations." This was reported by the BBC, according to The Public.
The Ministry of Defence stressed that this operation is part of the state policy to protect national waters and respond to the growing activity of the Russian Federation. According to the government, the number of incidents of threats from Russian ships in British waters has increased by 30 per cent in two years. Moscow responds that it is London's position that is provocative.
The Royal Navy escorted the Russian boat and its tug “Altai” during the three-day passage as far as northwest France, where the surveillance was passed on to a NATO ally.
The incident comes as NATO launches the new Atlantic Bastion programme. It is intended to strengthen the protection of submarine cables and gas pipelines from possible Russian sabotage. Earlier, British intelligence reported that a Russian reconnaissance ship directed lasers at RAF pilots while monitoring its activity near British waters.
The head of the Ministry of Defence, John Healey, has sent a tough message to the Kremlin: The UK sees the actions of Russian forces and is ready to respond. In response, the Russian embassy said it had no interest in British underwater infrastructure and urged London to refrain from taking steps that could exacerbate security in Europe.
