HMS MERSEY

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Russian warship shadowed during transit of canal

Royal Navy warships have once again intervened to escort Russian ships passing through UK waters. The HMS 'Duncan', a Type 45 destroyer, began to escort the Russian corvette 'Boikiy' as she entered the English Channel off the coast of Brittany on June 20, 2025. The HMS 'Mersey' took over shadowing duties on June 21, as the 'Boikiy' passed the Isle of Wight heading eastwards, while HMS 'Duncan's crew returned to training. The Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said Russian warships appear to be transiting through the English Channel more frequently, and every time they do a Royal Navy vessel will be keeping an eye on them to defend British waters and keep the undersea cables safe. The Steregushchy-class corvette, which was commissioned in 2013, was tracked in UK waters by HMS 'Tyne' in May and was shadowed by HMS 'Somerset' in March. Using its sensors and powerful radar, HMS 'Duncan' was able watch Boikiy's movements closely, as the Russian ship continued its journey back home from the west African coast. It was also noticed she was missing an anchor. Also recently, the HMS 'Trent' and Wildcat helicopters from the 815 Naval Air Squadron shadowed the Russian frigate 'Admiral Grigorovich' as she sailed past Gibraltar, through the English Channel and into the North Sea, while HMS 'Mersey' has tracked Russian warships five times this year. REport with photos: https://www.forcesnews.com/services/navy/royal-navy-warships-team-shadow-russian-vessel-passing-through-uk-waters