Watch: Russian submarine hits Royal Navy warship patrolling North Atlantic Ocean

7 January 2022, 13:27 | Updated: 7 January 2022, 13:43

Royal Navy warship hit by Russian submarine

By Daisy Stephens

This is the dramatic moment a Navy warship was hit by a Russian submarine while on patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

HMS Northumberland had been searching for the submarine after it disappeared from the ship's radar in the Arctic Circle shortly before the incident took place.

The submarine hit the warship's sonar - a piece of equipment being towed hundreds of metres behind it, which was fitted with sensitive hydrophones for listening under water.

The incident, which happened in late 2020, was captured by a documentary crew from Channel 5 who were filming a television series called Warship: Life At Sea.

Read more: Kazakhstan: Dozens of protesters killed in riots as Russia deploys paratroopers

Read more: Leaked footage shows moment F35 jet crashes into sea and pilot ejects from aircraft

The Ministry of Defence has since confirmed the collision between the submarine and the warship.

A UK defence force source told the BBC that the collision was not thought to have been deliberate.

The collision reportedly caused damage to HMS Northumberland's sonar, with the ship returning to a port in Scotland to replace the damaged equipment.

Leaked footage shows moment F-35 plummets off deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean

The MoD does not usually comment on operations.

However it was forced to do so on this occasion because the incident was caught on camera.

A spokesman said: "In late 2020 a Russian submarine being tracked by HMS Northumberland came into contact with her towed array sonar.

"The Royal Navy regularly tracks foreign ships and submarines in order to ensure the defence of the United Kingdom."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

Labour MP arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences

The victim, centre, and his two killers

Moment London knife victim, 22, buys drinks for his killers before they stab him to death in street

An armed Met counter-terror firearms unit at Downing Street

UK police chiefs ‘plan national counter-terrorism force’

Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett after winning the Randox Grand Nationa

Nick Rockett wins 2025 Grand National at Aintree holding off last year's winner I Am Maximus

She was reportedly robbed outside an Italian restaurant in Cheshire

Wife of Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana ‘robbed of £62K handbag and Rolex’

Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US in the wake of 'Liberation Day' tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US in wake of tariffs as Trump insists he'll win 'economic revolution'

The fire happened at Goldenbeach Holiday Park, Roman Bank, Ingoldmells.

Two people killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

Easter eggs have been recalled over a potential risk of 'metal'

'Do not eat' warning as major chocolate brand recalls two Easter eggs amid fears they contain metal

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Lucy Connolly

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for racial hatred tweet after Southport attacks 'denied temporary release'

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

Body found in search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake in south-east London

Molly Russell took her own life in 2017.

Meta and Pinterest 'make secret donation to Molly Russell charity'

Elton John

Sir Elton John says he 'can't read, watch TV or see his boys play rugby' as he opens up about health battle

Exclusive
Corby steelworks pictured in 1981

Families in former industrial town call for probe into rare child cancer after botched clean-up of steelworks

The stabbing happened on Ramsden Street in Huddersfield.

Man, 20, charged with murder after 16-year-old boy stabbed to death in Huddersfield

Donald Trump's 10% tariff on UK products has officially come into force

Trump tariffs come into force as global stock markets plunge deeper into the red