U.K. navy intercepts Russian corvette and tanker as Moscow steps up naval activity

In this undated aerial photo released by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, HMS Severn, lower section, is seen tracking the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy off the UK coast. (United Kingdom Ministry of Defence via AP)

LONDON — A U.K. patrol ship has intercepted a Russian corvette and a tanker after shadowing them through the English Channel, the Defence Ministry said Sunday, adding that Russian naval activity around U.K. waters had increased by 30 per cent over the past two years.

With the past two weeks, the patrol ship HMS Severn intercepted the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya as they sailed through the English Channel, the ministry said. The Severn eventually handed over monitoring duties to an unidentified NATO ally off the coast of Brittany.

In addition to the ships stationed around the U.K. coast, Britain has deployed three Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Iceland as part of a NATO mission patrolling for Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic, the ministry said.

The news comes just days after Defence Secretary John Healey told reporters that the Russian spy ship Yantar had aimed lasers at the pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities off the coast of Scotland. Britain described the Yantar’s actions as “reckless and dangerous,” adding that Britain was ready to respond to any incursions into its territory.

“My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you’re doing,’’ Healey said on Wednesday.

The Russian Embassy in London responded to Healey’s comments by accusing the British government of “whipping up militaristic hysteria,” adding that Moscow has no interest in undermining the U.K.’s security.

Healey issued the warning as he made the case for increased defence spending a week before the government releases its new budget. Even though Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged big military spending increases in light of threats from Russia, China and Iran, the government is facing tough tradeoffs as it eyes tax increases and spending cuts to close a multi-billion-pound shortfall in its finances.

Danica Kirka, The Associated Press