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The U.K. navy intercepted two Russian naval vessels as they travelled through the English Channel in recent weeks, the Defense Ministry said, according to a BBC report published on Sunday.
The patrol vessel HMS Severn tracked the Russian corvette Stoikiy and the tanker Yelnya as they moved west through the narrow Dover Strait.
The ministry said HMS Severn later handed over monitoring duties to a NATO partner near the coast of Brittany in northwest France but continued observing the ships “from a distance” and remained prepared “to respond to any unexpected activity.”
The interception is part of an increase in Russian ship movements near UK waters.
Last week, the Russian vessel Yantar was spotted off Scotland and reportedly used lasers to disrupt Royal Air Force pilots monitoring it.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey called the behavior “deeply dangerous,” telling Russia and President Vladimir Putin, “We see you. We know what you’re doing. We are ready.”
Healey said Russian vessel activity posing risks to UK waters had risen 30% in the past two years and was part of broader “Russian aggression” affecting Europe beyond Ukraine.
He also said he updated Royal Navy rules of engagement to allow the UK to follow the Yantar more closely “when it is in our wider waters.”
The Russian Embassy in the U.K. said it had “taken note of the latest provocative statements” by Healey.
It said the Yantar was operating in international waters and dismissed British accusations as unfounded.
“The British leadership’s endless accusations and suspicions only cause a smile,” the statement read, insisting Russia’s actions did not threaten U.K. interests or security.
It said Moscow had “no interest in British underwater communications” and urged the UK to avoid “destructive steps” that could worsen the crisis in Europe.
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