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Navy follows Russian intelligence ship near Scotland during Nato exercise
The Royal Navy tracked a Russian intelligence-gathering ship near Scotland after it was found monitoring Nato warships during Exercise Strike Warrior. The operation highlights increased Russian activity around British waters and the Navy’s efforts to keep watch on vessels near the UK.
The ship, Viktor Leonov, was followed by Merlin helicopters near the Outer Hebrides from 29 September to 8 October. The exercise involved 2,000 personnel from six Nato countries. The article says Russian activity around British waters rose by 25 per cent in the first seven months of the year compared with the same period in 2025; other British forces have also monitored Russian warships and vessels.
In short
- Merlin helicopters tracked Russian spy ship Viktor Leonov near Scotland.
- The ship monitored a Nato exercise involving six countries.
- Russian activity around British waters has reportedly increased by 25 per cent.
Explained simply
Nato is a military alliance whose members train together and share responsibility for their security. Exercise Strike Warrior brought warships and personnel from six Nato countries together for training off Scotland.
Viktor Leonov is a Russian naval vessel equipped to gather intelligence, including by observing ships and communications. The Royal Navy monitors foreign vessels operating near the UK, while Russia also sends ships to sea in the region.
Such activity matters because tracking ships can help governments understand what is happening around their waters and military exercises. Reports of increased Russian activity have led British forces to keep watch on several vessels.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Royal Navy intercepts Russia spy ship off Scotland after catching it ‘closely monitoring’ Nato war games”.