Russian spy ship intercepted off coast of Scotland spying on NATO exercises

Britain's Royal Navy has intercepted a Russian spy ship off the coast of Scotland that was monitoring NATO military exercises.

Source: The Telegraph, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Royal Navy reported on Monday 2 November that Merlin helicopters had been tracking the Viktor Leonov, a Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering ship which had been cruising near the Outer Hebrides from 29 September to 8 October. The helicopters were deployed from their base at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Captain James Hall, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, said: "This operation has been a critical means for demonstrating to ourselves, our adversaries and the nation that we are willing and capable of securing the homeland 24/7. The Merlin Helicopter Force stands ready to answer the call at a moment's notice."

The vessel had been spying on NATO warships during Exercise Strike Warrior, which involved 2,000 personnel from six Alliance nations.

Earlier this year, Merlin helicopters were fitted with state-of-the-art sonobuoys as part of a £40 million (almost €48 million) upgrade aimed at improving the tracking of Russian submarines.

The Telegraph noted that Russian activity in and around British waters has increased by 25% during the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2025.

Background:

• In 2025, the UK reported that it was monitoring a Russian spy ship off the coast of Scotland that was likely gathering data on underwater infrastructure.
• On 10 September 2026, NATO allies discovered Russian submarines in Arctic waters near the Svalbard archipelago conducting exercises involving a secret weapon designed to disable critical undersea cables.
• In May it was reported that Germany had sent a reconnaissance ship equipped with state-of-the-art electronic intelligence equipment to the Baltic Sea due to the presence of Russian vessels there.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.