Royal Navy: Merlin helicopters tracked the Russian spy ship Viktor Leonov during a NATO exercise off Scotland

Royal Navy Merlin helicopters tracked for ten days the Russian intelligence-gathering ship Viktor Leonov, which was closely watching NATO warships in an exercise off Scotland. The Royal Navy said the Vishnya-class vessel operated near the Outer Hebrides from September 29 to October 8, while the Strike Warrior exercise was under way with about 2,000 personnel from six Alliance nations.

For the operation the Royal Navy moved Merlin helicopters from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, so they could operate closer to the Scottish coast and keep the Russian vessel under constant watch.

Ready at first call

Captain James Hall, commander of RNAS Culdrose, said he is “extremely proud” of the personnel, who, he stressed, again showed that the United Kingdom is ready to respond to immediate operational demands. “This operation showed ourselves, our adversaries and the country that we want to and can protect the homeland around the clock. The Merlin helicopter force is ready to respond at first call,” he added.

Three operations in a little over two weeks

Tracking the Viktor Leonov is one of three Royal Navy operations in a little over two weeks against Russian warships and spy ships. In October, HMS Dauntless and HMS Tyne intercepted the Russian frigate Neustrashimy as it passed through the English Channel escorting sanctioned cargo ships. “The Russians have been forced over the last three months to deploy a warship to protect their illegal cargoes,” the Royal Navy said. From October 11 to 14 HMS Tyne also shadowed the Soviet-built landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin, which was escorting a shadow fleet vessel and a tug.

London has sanctioned more than 500 Russian vessels and in June seized the tanker Smyrtos. Moscow relies increasingly on warship escorts for shadow fleet tankers that let it bypass sanctions, after European governments began stopping them at sea. In May 2026 the Ukrainian government’s register listed 1,404 vessels as part of the Russian shadow fleet. Russian activity around British waters rose 25% in the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, Britain’s Telegraph wrote. In the Baltic, on October 31, Swedish police reportedly boarded with a special operations unit a cargo ship with ties to Russia near the island of Gotland. The company operating it had previously been investigated over possible links with Russian intelligence services and hybrid operations in Europe.