Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland tracks Russian warship in North Sea to 'deter malign activity'

HMS Portland is monitoring the Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK.

The Type 23 frigate joined the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Bergen as the Russian ships transited south through the Norwegian Sea.

Portland and her specialist Merlin helicopter – both fitted with cutting-edge sonars and sensors – is tracking and reporting on the movements of the Russian ships through the region.

Portland’s commanding officer Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: ‘Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy.

‘By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity to protect our nation’s interests.

‘Escorting the Russian task group alongside forces from our NATO allies has demonstrated the UK’s commitment to the alliance and to maintaining maritime security.’

HMS Portland departed her home port of Plymouth on Saturday on her latest patrol.

The frigate – which underwent a major refit in 2021 – is adept at surface warfare operations as well as hunting submarines.

Her shadowing of Russian vessels comes as new footage reveals HMS Queen Elizabeth having to warn Russian jets to keep their distance during the aircraft carrier's maiden deployment.

Last year, the Royal Navy revealed almost half a dozen instances of Navy ships needing to shadow Russian warships, including Portsmouth-based HMS Mersey in August.

HMS Portland was called into action last July as two Russian hunter-killer submarines were tracked by the Royal Navy warship as they sailed into the North Sea.

The Type 23 frigate shadowed the sub as they surfaced separately in the North Sea, north west of Bergen, Norway, on July 16 and 19. It’s believed the pair of boats, which are armed to the teeth, were heading to St Petersburg to take part in Russia’s navy day celebrations on July 31.

The operation came amid simmering tensions between the West and Russia over Vladimir Putin’s murderous invasion of Ukraine and followed soon after Portland took part in Nato’s premiere submarine-hunting drill.