The navy escorted a Russian submarine and supporting tug through the North Sea. The vessels arrived from the Mediterranean and were already escorted in the English Channel by a British naval vessel. Once in Dutch waters, the hydrographic survey vessel HNLMS Luymes took over this task from the British.
HNLMS Luymes escorted the submarine Novorossiysk (Kilo class) and the tugboat Yakov Grebelskiy (Goryn class) until they left the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone. An NH90 maritime attack helicopter provided support to HNLMS Luymes.
Although the Exclusive Economic Zone is subject to international right of passage, the Netherlands escorts all Russian naval vessels. This demonstrates vigilance and prevents Russian vessels from sabotaging submarine infrastructure.
The escort and escorting of all Russian warships is carried out in cooperation with the Coast Guard.