NATO Deploys U.K. Warship in Historic First to Shadow Russian Destroyer in English Channel

NATO deployed a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer to shadow a Russian Navy vessel through the English Channel, marking what the alliance called a “historic first.”

HMS Duncan, based in Portsmouth, operated under NATO’s direct command rather than the Royal Navy, tracking the Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov for over 48 hours. A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron provided air surveillance support.

While Royal Navy ships routinely monitor Russian movements—The Times has recorded 40 such incidents since the 2022 Ukraine invasion—this was the first time a British warship carried out the task under NATO operational control.

Using its radar and tracking systems, HMS Duncan intercepted the Kulakov in the North Sea before monitoring its passage through the Channel toward Ushant Island off the French coast. The mission involved coordination with a Dutch Air Force NH90 helicopter and the French Navy.

“The close coordination between U.K., French and Dutch forces demonstrates the strength of our alliance,” HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer, Commander Dan Lee, said. “Tracking and escorting the Vice Admiral Kulakov was a clear example of NATO’s interoperability in action.”

HMS Duncan serves with NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), which patrols northern European waters and conducts regular exercises and port visits to strengthen cooperation among allied navies.

Separately, the Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset recently conducted maritime security patrols between Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland—a key route linking the North Atlantic and Arctic waters.