HMS TRENT

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Course/Position

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Russian convoy shadowed in English Channel

The HMS 'Trent' and a Wildcat helicopter have shadowed Russian vessels in UK waters during a five-day operation in mid-August 2025. The Portsmouth-based Offshore Patrol Vessel shadowed the Russian destroyer 'Vice Admiral Kulakov (Вице-адмирал Кулаков' and two tankers on their transit through the English Channel. The operation was part of the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguard the integrity of UK waters and protecting national security through the government’s Plan for Change. The 'Trent' started shadowing the 'Vice Admiral Kulakov' off Great Yarmouth, watching her every move westward through the Channel towards Ushant. Simultaneously, a NATO ally shadowed the two tankers as they made their transit from the west to join the Russian destroyer. They met off the island of Ushant, off the tip of the Brittany peninsula, with the three Russian vessels turning to sail eastwards through the Channel, followed all the way by HMS 'Trent'. A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, later joined the operation to provide air support and monitor the Russians’ movements with its impressive suite of sensors. The operation was multi-national and had the 'Trent' operating with several of our European NATO allies demonstrating our interoperability with other nations and providing a deterrence inside UK waters. The 'Trent' and the Yeovilton-based Wildcat were also supported by warships, patrol aircraft and helicopters from other NATO allies. Report with photo: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/hms-trent-shadows-russian-vessels-in-the-english-channel-5282070