Royal Navy warships and helicopters intercept a Russian spy ship that was caught 'closely monitoring' Nato war games off Scotland

Britain intercepted the Vishnya-class intelligence ship Viktor Leonov as it closely monitored Exercise Strike Warrior in the Outer Hebrides — a major Nato drill drawing together six nations' forces, comprising eight warships, 19 aircraft and more than 2,000 personnel. London's response, Operation Iceblast, saw Wildcat and Merlin helicopters deployed 376 miles from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall to Glasgow Prestwick Airport at short notice.

Merlins tracked the Viktor Leonov from September 29 until October 8, while HMS Tyne and HMS Dauntless separately shadowed two Russian frigates, RFN Neustrashimy and RFN Aleksandr Shabalin, until October 14.

Captain James Hall, commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, said the operation demonstrated the UK is 'willing and capable of securing the homeland 24/7.'

The exercise was designed to test the Merlin Helicopter Force's ability to deploy at full strength from its home base at short notice — sending a clear signal to Moscow that Britain's surveillance capability remains on constant readiness.