Russia is “constantly tracking” a British warship on patrol in the Black Sea, the defence ministry in Moscow has said.
HMS Trent sailed through the Dardanelles and Bosporus on Sunday amid tensions over the Kremlin’s intentions in eastern Ukraine.
The Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel posed “no serious threat” to the Russians, insisted former Black Sea Fleet commander Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, as a video showed its arrival, despite the announcement that its every move would be watched.
“I would not even say that the British [navy] would be able to tickle our nerves,” he told Interfax. “Maybe, only the heel, a little.”
He said the vessel would be constantly monitored in the Black Sea where it can remain for up to 21 days under international agreements.
(Image: Sonar-2050)
“If a serious ship enters the Black Sea, and there is an immediate threat, then you can track it with weapons, as target designations are issued to coastal missile systems and aircraft, which are on duty,” said Admiral Komoyedov.
The Russian National Defence Control Centre confirmed it was watching the Royal Navy vessel.
“The forces of the Black Sea Fleet have started tracking the actions of the British Navy patrol ship HMS Trent, which entered the Black Sea on 16 May 2021,” said a statement.
Admiral Viktor Kravchenko, former chief of the Russian naval staff, said the Trent would be “met” near the Bosporus Strait and monitored using “radio equipment”, according to Interfax.
“Ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are constantly nearby until foreign naval ships leave the area,” said the news agency report citing Kravchencko.
(Image: Russian Ministry of Defence)
(Image: British Embassy Ankara)
“Of course, this is unpleasant. You will have to be distracted, keep an eye on them; what are they going to do in the Black Sea,” said Kravchenko.
Last month there were reports that Britain would in May send to the Black Sea a Type 45 destroyer armed with anti-aircraft missiles and an anti-submarine Type 23 frigate.
It was reported that RAF F-35B Lightning stealth jets and Merlin submarine-hunting helicopters will stand ready on the Mediterranean task group’s flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The Gibraltar-based HMS Trent’s arrival follows the US Coast Guard patrol ship Hamilton in the Black Sea.
In recent days, the Russians also said they were tracking French Navy patrol vessel Commandant Birot.
Over three days the Russian military said its fighter jets were scrambled to shadow French Air Force aircraft over the Black Sea.
Russia has pulled back some troops that massed on Ukraine’s borders last month.
But there is still concern in the West over Vladimir Putin’s intentions in Ukraine and considerable forces and equipment remain.
Another video displayed a show of strength by the Russians to coincide with Black Sea Fleet Day on 13 May.
