The 2,109 displacement ton HMS Severn intercepted a Russian corvette and tanker after shadowing them through the English Channel, the Defence Ministry said, adding that Russian naval activity around UK waters has risen 30 per cent in two years, reported the Associated Press.

HMS Severn, an offshore river patrol ship, intercepted the 2,200 displacement ton Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and the 5,045-dwt tanker Yelnya before handing over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off Brittany, the ministry said.

Britain has also deployed three Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Iceland as part of a NATO mission tracking Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic.

The announcement followed Defence Secretary John Healey's warning that the Russian spy ship Yantar had aimed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft off Scotland. Britain called the actions reckless and dangerous, saying it was ready to respond to incursions.

The Russian Embassy in London accused Britain of whipping up militaristic hysteria, insisting Moscow has no interest in undermining UK security.

Mr Healey issued the warning as he pressed for increased defence spending ahead of the government's new budget. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged higher military outlays in response to threats from Russia, China and Iran, though ministers face tough tradeoffs as they seek to close a multi-billion-pound shortfall.