Royal Navy shadow spy ship which can snoop on the UK from 20 miles at sea (2025)

The Russian spy ship Admiral Vladimirskiy trailed by a RN Wildcat helicopter (Image: Royal Navy )

Russia has sent a spy ship through UK waters which has the ability to “map” key undersea sites for sabotage and eavesdrop on electronic communication. The Admiral Vladimirskiy was shadowed by a Royal Navy minehunter and helicopter as it passed through the English Channel at the end of last week. Though ostensibly for Oceanic research, officers on the 6,600-tonne vessel report directly to both Russia's Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research (GUGI) and its GRU foreign intelligence agency.

Boasting some 20 linguists among its 176-strong crew, it conducts covert underwater and electronic reconnaissance as part of the Russian Navy’s project 852, and can sweep up electronic intelligence from 20 miles away. The Vladimirskiy has been cited in a report by Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland for lingering near main infrastructure hubs such as winds farms and undersea cables and often travels with its transponder turned off in an attempt to avoid detection.

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Russian spy ship Admiral Vladimirskiy shadowed by HMS Cattistock (Image: Royal Navy )

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Danish counter-intelligence sources believe the sabotage plans are being prepared in case of a full conflict, a view shared by the UK and other Nato allies. It is no stranger to UK waters in the middle of the English Channel, which it is allowed to transit under an intentional agreement.

Britain deployed the minehunter HMS Cattistock and a Wildcat helicopter to shadow her movement, and to ensure the Vladimirskiy did not stop or linger, though the vessel is capable of carrying out its nefarious activities on the move.

The Royal Navy minehunter first reported on the Russian ship’s movements in the southern North Sea and worked closely with the helicopter to keep a constant watch through busy shipping lanes until the vessel exited the Channel just west of the Brest peninsula.

Russian spy ship Admiral Vladimirskiy shadowed by HMS Cattistock (Image: Royal Navy )

This operation was followed quickly by another, as Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and tanker RFA Tidesurge were deployed to escort Russian landing ship, RFN Alexander Otrakovsky, and merchant vessel, MV Ascalon, through the Channel and North Sea, as the pair sailed towards the Baltic.

The two Russian ships had recently departed the Mediterranean.

HMS Cattistock’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Rob Garner, said: “Cattistock has escorted a number of Russian warships and government-owned vessels through UK waters in recent weeks and months, demonstrating the Royal Navy’s operational readiness and steadfast commitment to UK security at sea.”

A Royal Navy spokesman added :”These operations highlight the Royal Navy’s commitment to securing the UK’s waters and areas of interest. Protecting our national security is essential to supporting economic growth, protecting trade routes and helping to ensure a secure and stable economy.”