Underwater Watch: British Navy Keeps an Eye on Russian Sub

The British navy has been actively monitoring a Russian submarine, the Krasnodar, a Kilo-class type, as it cruised through the English Channel. The submarine remained on the surface for three days, but the British were prepared to switch to anti-submarine mode if it dived.

A British supply ship equipped with a helicopter was deployed to monitor the submarine and a tugboat named Altay. The Russian ships entered the Channel from the North Sea. The British navy stated they were ready to take action if necessary.

Near the island of Ouessant, off northwest France, the monitoring was handed over to a NATO ally, though the specific ally was not disclosed.

Increased Russian Submarine Activity

This incident is part of a broader trend of increased Russian submarine activity in British waters. Over the past two years, the number of Russian submarines in the area has risen by about a third.

• In early July, the U.K. and Norway collaborated to track Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.
• In January, the defense secretary informed Parliament that the Royal Navy was monitoring a Russian spy ship called the Yantar.
• In late December, the frigate HMS Somerset tracked a Russian naval group moving from the North Sea to the English Channel, though they stayed in international waters.

Recent Encounters

• In November 2024, British jets were scrambled to monitor a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near U.K. airspace.
• In September 2023, Royal Navy warships shadowed four Russian vessels in U.K. waters for a week, while two Royal Air Force jets intercepted two Russian aircraft operating near the U.K.