Russia has issued a stark warning to Western countries over efforts to disrupt its so-called shadow fleet, raising fears that the confrontation could spill into international shipping lanes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation if Western nations move to seize Russian vessels or assets linked to the shadow fleet. Moscow says such actions would amount to piracy and has warned that any response would not necessarily take place in the same waters.

The escalating tensions are creating a major challenge for Britain’s Royal Navy, which is already monitoring Russian warships and shadow fleet vessels around UK waters. Reports cited in the segment suggest concerns over whether the Royal Navy has sufficient ships, weapons and resources to protect commercial shipping across vast maritime routes.

As Russia and the West clash over sanctioned oil shipments, the world’s major shipping lanes could become the next arena of confrontation.

Russia Threatens Western Ships | Britain’s Royal Navy Faces Major Firepower Crisis

In the sign of the West's increasing reliance on India - the country's shipyards are becoming sort of a maintainance hub for foreign Navy assets in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a first, UK's warships dock at Chennai | West eyes India's Naval logistics hubs

India play big role in West's Indo-Pacific equation, two UK Navy ships dock at Chennai

In a major embarrassment to the UK Royal Navy, a Trident nuclear missile misfired and crashed into the ocean near the submarine that launched it, last month. The test firing was conducted off the coast of Florida and it was the second consecutive time a Trident nuclear missile had failed.

UK Trident missile fail: Woes mount for the Royal Navy

UK Trident nuclear missile flop: Missile misfires & crashes into ocean

In a moment of embarrasment for the British Navy, an aircraft carrier failed to sail wasting the time and trip of hundreds lined up to witness the sail off at port harbour.

UK: British Navy carrier malfunctions before setting sail, HMS Prince of Wales fails to set sail

Top officials in Washington are actively weighing options to strike back at Yemen’s Houthis after the Iran-backed militant group launched a number of attacks against naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea, reported Politico citing two United States officials. This comes a day after major shipping firms announced that they would be avoiding the Suez Canal, a key trade route between Europe and Asia, a move which could potentially affect global trade.&nbsp;

<h2>Will US respond to Houthi attacks?</h2>

Over the last few weeks, the Yemen-based Houthis have launched a number of attacks against commercial ships passing through the Red Sea amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.&nbsp;

The attacks have mostly been thwarted by the American forces in the region but given the rise of such incidents, the US may be planning to ramp up its forces to now retaliate.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Houthi Red Sea attacks: Iran warns against proposed US-backed Red Sea force

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The Pentagon has in recent days moved the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen, to support a potential US response to attacks, one of the American officials told Politico on the condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

The report citing officials also said that the US military has provided options to commanders to strike the Houthis. However, President Joe Biden’s administration is reluctant to respond to these attacks amid fear of provoking Iran.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Pentagon itself had reportedly recommended against it but given the significant uptick in attacks, US officials may be looking to change their tactics.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-in-bab-al-mandab-strait-attacked-by-missiles-from-houthi-controlled-yemen-gunmen-on-speedboats-669295">Tanker carrying jet fuel from India hit by missiles from Houthi-controlled Yemen, gunmen on speedboats</a>

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is in the midst of a trip to the Middle East, said Houthis were a “material threat” to shipping and commerce in the region but the ultimate responsibility for the attacks lies with Iran.&nbsp;

<h2>Recent attacks</h2>

As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza rages on, Houthis who have expressed support for the Palestinian militant group have issued multiple warnings saying that they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing in Israeli ports.&nbsp;

On Saturday (Dec 16) morning, the US and United Kingdom navy vessels shot down suspected attack drones which were said to have been targeting shipping vessels.&nbsp;

American destroyer USS Carney shot down 14 one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, said the US Central Command. HMS Diamond, a British destroyer, which was recently deployed in the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping, also shot down one suspected Houthi drone.

This was a day after two cargo ships in the Red Sea had been attacked by missiles and drones fired from a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen. The attacks took place near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key route for global trade.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idf-confirms-houthis-hijacked-ship-in-red-sea-but-says-its-not-israeli-vessel-660542">IDF confirms Houthis hijacked India-bound ship in Red Sea, but says it's not Israeli vessel</a>

One ship was also attacked by a suspected Houthi drone but the Iran-backed group did not claim responsibility for it. “We are aware that something launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen struck this vessel which was damaged, and there was a report of a fire,” a US military official told AFP referring to the drone attack.

<h2>Shipping firms to avoid Suez Canal&nbsp;</h2>

Major shipping firms, including MSC, the world’s biggest container shipping line, on Saturday said that they will avoid the Suez Canal in light of the attacks in the Red Sea.&nbsp;

Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk, on Friday (Dec 15) said that they are pausing all its container shipments through Bab al-Mandab until further notice, Swiss-based MSC and French shipping group CMA CGM followed suit the next day.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Top officials in Washington are actively weighing options to strike back at Yemen’s Houthis after the Iran-backed militant group launched a number of attacks against naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea, reported Politico citing two United States officials.

Top officials in Washington are actively weighing options to strike back at Yemen’s Houthis after the Iran-backed militant group launched a number of attacks against naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea, reported Politico citing two United States officials. This comes a day after major shipping firms announced that they would be avoiding the Suez Canal, a key trade route between Europe and Asia, a move which could potentially affect global trade. Will US respond to Houthi attacks? Over the last few weeks, the Yemen-based Houthis have launched a number of attacks against commercial ships passing through the Red Sea amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The attacks have mostly been thwarted by the American forces in the region but given the rise of such incidents, the US may be planning to ramp up its forces to now retaliate. WATCH | Houthi Red Sea attacks: Iran warns against proposed US-backed Red Sea force The Pentagon has in recent days moved the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen, to support a potential US response to attacks, one of the American officials told Politico on the condition of anonymity. The report citing officials also said that the US military has provided options to commanders to strike the Houthis. However, President Joe Biden’s administration is reluctant to respond to these attacks amid fear of provoking Iran. Earlier, the Pentagon itself had reportedly recommended against it but given the significant uptick in attacks, US officials may be looking to change their tactics. ALSO READ | Tanker carrying jet fuel from India hit by missiles from Houthi-controlled Yemen, gunmen on speedboats National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is in the midst of a trip to the Middle East, said Houthis were a “material threat” to shipping and commerce in the region but the ultimate responsibility for the attacks lies with Iran. Recent attacks As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza rages on, Houthis who have expressed support for the Palestinian militant group have issued multiple warnings saying that they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing in Israeli ports. On Saturday (Dec 16) morning, the US and United Kingdom navy vessels shot down suspected attack drones which were said to have been targeting shipping vessels. American destroyer USS Carney shot down 14 one-way attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, said the US Central Command. HMS Diamond, a British destroyer, which was recently deployed in the Red Sea to help protect commercial shipping, also shot down one suspected Houthi drone. This was a day after two cargo ships in the Red Sea had been attacked by missiles and drones fired from a Houthi-controlled part of Yemen. The attacks took place near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key route for global trade. ALSO READ | IDF confirms Houthis hijacked India-bound ship in Red Sea, but says it's not Israeli vessel One ship was also attacked by a suspected Houthi drone but the Iran-backed group did not claim responsibility for it. “We are aware that something launched from a Houthi-controlled region of Yemen struck this vessel which was damaged, and there was a report of a fire,” a US military official told AFP referring to the drone attack. Shipping firms to avoid Suez Canal Major shipping firms, including MSC, the world’s biggest container shipping line, on Saturday said that they will avoid the Suez Canal in light of the attacks in the Red Sea. Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk, on Friday (Dec 15) said that they are pausing all its container shipments through Bab al-Mandab until further notice, Swiss-based MSC and French shipping group CMA CGM followed suit the next day. (With inputs from agencies)

US weighs options to retaliate against Houthi attacks in Red Sea: Report

Responding to concerns over potential spying activities, the UK Navy is now ending a century old tradition of having Chinese laundry workers on warships instead it is now opting to employ Navy personnel.

UK Navy replaces China personnel; Chinese laundry workers replaced on warships | World News | WION

The UK Navy Chief has ordered an urgent investigation amid claims that workers on a Trident nuclear armed submarine fixed broken bolts in the vessel's reactor chamber using glue.

WION Fineprint: 'Botched attempt' to fix UK nuclear submarine

British Royal Navy chief has announced an investigation after a news report in Daily Mail made allegations of widespread sexual harassment of female staff on submarines.

The Daily Mail on Saturday published a story based on an interview with Sophie Brook, a former naval lieutenant, who described a "constant campaign of sexual bullying" including male crew members putting the names of female colleagues on a "rape list".

The article quotes two unnamed whistle-blowers who backed Brooks' account.

First Sea Lord Ben Key, the professional head of the navy, said in a statement to the newspaper that he had called for an investigation to be carried out by his senior team and was "deeply disturbed" by the "abhorrent" allegations.

"Sexual assault and harassment has no place in the Royal Navy and will not be tolerated," Key said, and anyone found culpable would "be held accountable" regardless of rank.

Brooks, now 30, was due to become a submarine commander. But she became suicidal and self-harmed due to the on board culture and was dismissed by the navy.

The Royal Navy's submarine service only began admitting women in 2011.

She was routinely addressed using a sexual obscenity by her male superiors. Brooks said they put their p*****s in her pocket.

She learnt she was number six on a list of which female crew members would be raped first in the event of a catastrophe.&nbsp;

A married colleague exposed himself to her and another fellow crew member climbed into her bed while she was sleeping and started kissing her.

One woman who formally complained about naked pictures of women on display in a working area was "frozen out" and unable to advance, Brook said.

Brooks began self harming at 21, just two years after joining the navy. She was later dismissed from the service.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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British Royal Navy chief has announced an investigation after a news report in Daily Mail made allegations of widespread sexual harassment of female staff on submarines.

British Royal Navy chief has announced an investigation after a news report in Daily Mail made allegations of widespread sexual harassment of female staff on submarines. The Daily Mail on Saturday published a story based on an interview with Sophie Brook, a former naval lieutenant, who described a "constant campaign of sexual bullying" including male crew members putting the names of female colleagues on a "rape list". The article quotes two unnamed whistle-blowers who backed Brooks' account. First Sea Lord Ben Key, the professional head of the navy, said in a statement to the newspaper that he had called for an investigation to be carried out by his senior team and was "deeply disturbed" by the "abhorrent" allegations. "Sexual assault and harassment has no place in the Royal Navy and will not be tolerated," Key said, and anyone found culpable would "be held accountable" regardless of rank. Brooks, now 30, was due to become a submarine commander. But she became suicidal and self-harmed due to the on board culture and was dismissed by the navy. The Royal Navy's submarine service only began admitting women in 2011. She was routinely addressed using a sexual obscenity by her male superiors. Brooks said they put their p*****s in her pocket. She learnt she was number six on a list of which female crew members would be raped first in the event of a catastrophe. A married colleague exposed himself to her and another fellow crew member climbed into her bed while she was sleeping and started kissing her. One woman who formally complained about naked pictures of women on display in a working area was "frozen out" and unable to advance, Brook said. Brooks began self harming at 21, just two years after joining the navy. She was later dismissed from the service. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

UK navy launches probe into sexual harassment on submarines after complaints

UK Navy's largest ship HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier leading the Carrier Strike Group will sail to India and the wider Indo-Pacific region next month. While on India visit, it will conduct joint exercises with Indian forces in the Indian Ocean which a release from the British High Commission in Delhi said will be about " expanding interoperability and enhancing capabilities to defend against shared threats and protect our democratic values."

The Strike Group comprises Type 45 destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and tanker and storage ships Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring.

"The UK and India are natural defense partners, particularly in world-class research, development and training. The Carrier Strike Group’s collaboration with India will build the foundations for this relationship to flourish even further," said UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.

On a 28-week deployment, the Carrier Strike Group will travel over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, from the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Sea, and from the Indian Ocean to the Philippine Sea.&nbsp;

The development comes as part of London's "Indo-Pacific tilt". The carrier will sail to Japan, South Korea, Singapore among the 40 countries it will visit and undertake 70 engagements.

The development comes even as both sides have been increasing high-level engagement. Last year, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had visited India, and later this year Indian PM Modi is expected to travel to the UK to take part in the G7 summit in Cornwall. Both countries have bi-annual exercises--Exercise Ajeya Warrior, for the army, Exercise Konkan for the navy, and Exercise Indra Dhanush for the Air Force. UK has the 5th largest defense budget, highest in Europe and second highest in NATO. The country is also the 2nd largest defense exporter in the world.

UK Navy's largest ship HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier leading the Carrier Strike Group will sail to India and the wider Indo-Pacific region next month. While on India visit, it will conduct joint exercises with Indian forces in the Indian Ocean which a release from the British High Commission in Delhi said will be about " expanding interoperability and enhancing capabilities to defend against shared threats and protect our democratic values.

UK Navy's largest ship HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier leading the Carrier Strike Group will sail to India and the wider Indo-Pacific region next month. While on India visit, it will conduct joint exercises with Indian forces in the Indian Ocean which a release from the British High Commission in Delhi said will be about " expanding interoperability and enhancing capabilities to defend against shared threats and protect our democratic values." The Strike Group comprises Type 45 destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Diamond, Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Kent and HMS Richmond, and tanker and storage ships Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring. "The UK and India are natural defense partners, particularly in world-class research, development and training. The Carrier Strike Group’s collaboration with India will build the foundations for this relationship to flourish even further," said UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. On a 28-week deployment, the Carrier Strike Group will travel over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, from the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Sea, and from the Indian Ocean to the Philippine Sea. The development comes as part of London's "Indo-Pacific tilt". The carrier will sail to Japan, South Korea, Singapore among the 40 countries it will visit and undertake 70 engagements. The development comes even as both sides have been increasing high-level engagement. Last year, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had visited India, and later this year Indian PM Modi is expected to travel to the UK to take part in the G7 summit in Cornwall. Both countries have bi-annual exercises--Exercise Ajeya Warrior, for the army, Exercise Konkan for the navy, and Exercise Indra Dhanush for the Air Force. UK has the 5th largest defense budget, highest in Europe and second highest in NATO. The country is also the 2nd largest defense exporter in the world.

UK's largest naval ship to sail to India next month

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