Picture courtesy of United Kingdom Ministry of Defence | via CNN/AP

 

The British Navy has intercepted a Russian corvette and tanker, as Russian naval activity around UK waters has surged by 30% over the past two years, according to the Defence Ministry. The patrol ship HMS Severn recently shadowed the Russian vessels RFN Stoikiy and Yelnya through the English Channel before handing over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany. This increase in Russian naval presence near Britain has prompted heightened vigilance from UK forces.

 

In response to this uptick, Britain has stationed three Poseidon surveillance aircraft in Iceland as part of a NATO mission aimed at monitoring Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic. This comes amid rising tensions, highlighted by an incident where the Russian spy ship Yantar allegedly aimed lasers at British aircraft off the coast of Scotland, a move that Defence Secretary John Healey labelled "reckless and dangerous."

 

In reaction to Healey’s statements, the Russian Embassy in London dismissed the concerns, accusing the British government of inciting “militaristic hysteria.” Moscow claims it has no intention of compromising UK security. Despite this, the situation has underscored ongoing geopolitical tensions.

 

Looking to the future, Defence Secretary Healey has called for increased defence expenditures, coinciding with the upcoming government budget announcement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to boosting military spending in response to perceived threats from Russia, China, and Iran. However, the government faces financial challenges with potential tax increases and spending cuts as it addresses a significant budget shortfall, reported CNN.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• The UK navy intercepted Russian ships amid increased naval activity.
• Britain deploys aircraft to Iceland for NATO maritime surveillance.
• The Russian Embassy accuses the UK of inciting unnecessary tensions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-11-25

 

 

 

 

International waters. Bit of a nothingburger this one.

The Russians should have painted their ships yellow, put on orange life vests, grown beards and waved a Palestinian flag. 

 

They'd have got a free escort to Dover. 

Did they break down?their navy is a joke 

23 hours ago, Tug said:

Did they break down?their navy is a joke 

 

Yes, the British navy is a joke indeed 🙂

On 11/25/2025 at 4:30 AM, webfact said:

Minister Keir Starmer has committed to boosting military spending in response to perceived threats from Russia, China, and Iran. However, the government faces financial challenges with potential tax increases and spending cuts as it addresses a significant budget shortfall,

Much the same everywhere in The West ... eg Oz

If the British navy want to know the movements of Russian ships they only have to ask Farridge and his mate Nathan Gill.

Farridge is a big fan of Putin and Gill is erm……..doing 10.5 years stir for being bribed by Russia, so these two “patriots” (aka fifth columnists) could show their loyalty to their country.

But which country?