News
Military aircraft activity over Welsh coast amid renewed Russian naval concerns
RAF surveillance patterns in Irish Sea resemble response to past spy ship incidents
A ROYAL AIR FORCE aircraft has been circling over Cardigan Bay and the approaches to the Irish Sea for several hours on Friday (July 4), prompting speculation about possible military monitoring activity in the region.
The Airbus A330 MRTT, flying under the callsign HUDSN52, was tracked performing a long, looping flight path consistent with surveillance or aerial refuelling support. The pattern is similar to those seen in previous RAF responses to foreign vessels in UK-monitored waters, particularly involving Russian naval assets.
Separately, RNLI Lifeboat 17-41—ordinarily based at Holyhead Lifeboat Station—was observed heading south towards Milford Haven. While the reason for its journey is unconfirmed, the movement is considered unusual, as the vessel is not normally deployed in the area. However, there is no direct evidence at this stage that links the lifeboat’s travel to the RAF aircraft or to any ongoing military operation.
The Herald understands from a well-placed source that a Russian vessel may be operating in the Irish Sea and is being monitored. That source, who is not authorised to speak publicly, suggested aircraft and naval assets may have been deployed in response.

In a similar incident in November 2024, the Russian ship Yantar—widely suspected of being capable of interfering with subsea communications cables—was tracked near critical infrastructure between Dublin and the Isle of Man. It was shadowed and ultimately escorted away by Western naval forces. The episode raised significant alarm over vulnerabilities in the UK and Ireland’s undersea cable networks.
Russia is known to deploy vessels like Yantar and Viktor Leonov for maritime intelligence missions in the North Atlantic, often operating just outside national territorial waters. NATO and independent analysts have warned that these ships loiter near key infrastructure, possibly mapping it for future disruption in the event of conflict.
While there is currently no official confirmation of a foreign vessel operating in the Irish Sea today, the RAF aircraft’s behaviour, combined with the recent history of such encounters, has led to speculation that a shadowing or monitoring operation could be underway.
The Ministry of Defence has not issued any public comment as of Friday afternoon. The Herald will continue to track military and maritime movements in the area and encourages anyone with relevant information to email [email protected].

News
Sheep rescue called off at Stack Rocks as coastguard urges public to stay back
Public warned not to look over cliff edge as animals remain stranded near firing range
A RESCUE attempt to reach two sheep stranded below the cliffs at Stack Rocks has been called off, with the coastguard urging members of the public to stay well back from the cliff edge.
The sheep were seen on the rocky ground below the cliffs this afternoon, prompting concern from people in the area.

The Herald understands that a rescue attempt was made, but it was later stood down. The animals remain at the location.
A witness at the scene told The Herald that the coastguard was keen for the public to be warned not to approach the cliff edge or try to look down at the sheep.
The situation is further complicated by activity at the nearby firing range, where several days of live firing are understood to be scheduled, meaning a further rescue attempt is not currently possible.
Members of the public are being urged not to put themselves at risk by going near the edge of the cliffs.
Photo: The stranded sheep at Stack Rocks (Pic: Cerianne Palmer).
Community
Sub aqua club marks first serious sea-diving weekend of season
CARDIGAN Sub Aqua Club has completed its first major weekend of sea diving of the season, with 23 divers taking part across four days.
The club rounded off the weekend on Monday (May 4), meeting at Porthgain at 8:30am with two club boats for a dive before returning by 2:00pm.
Ten divers took part in Monday’s outing, with the group diving on the Leysion, where visibility was reported at around three to four metres.
The club said the weekend had been an important opportunity for members to refresh skills, refamiliarise themselves with equipment and procedures, and give newer divers valuable sea experience.

There was also a milestone for club member Katie, who completed her first sea dive.
A club spokesperson said: “This has been the first serious club weekend out in the sea. Lots of refreshing of skills. Lots of refamiliarisation of kit and procedures. Some newbie experiences and some extending of experiences.”
The weekend also helped the club identify maintenance work needed on boats and trailers, with notes taken so the committee can prioritise resources.

The spokesperson added: “It’s been a good weekend for club diving — four days, two different locations and 23 different divers.”
The club said it will now focus over the next month on helping members who have not yet been back into the sea this season to get diving again and continue progressing with training.
Monday’s dive was followed by a debrief at The Sloop Inn, Porthgain.

News
Fresh Hamilton wage claims raise new questions for Haverfordwest County fans
Scottish reports of late and short wages add a new and more immediate concern for Bluebirds supporters already watching problems elsewhere in the same football network
REPORTS in Scotland that Hamilton Academical players were paid late, with some allegedly underpaid ahead of the club’s final game of the season, have added to scrutiny around the football network linked to Haverfordwest County AFC chairman Rob Edwards.
The latest claims were reported by Lanarkshire Live Sport and the Daily Record.
The relevance for Pembrokeshire lies in the links between Hamilton and Haverfordwest through Rob Edwards and Morley Sports Management.
Hamilton has previously stated that Morley Sports Management owns 100 per cent of 1874 Holdings Limited, and that 1874 Holdings in turn owns 97.5 per cent of Hamilton Academical FC.
Haverfordwest County has previously said Morley Sports Management has been the business vehicle behind Edwards’ takeover and funding of the Bluebirds since 2020.
Earlier this month, Haverfordwest County A.F.C. Ltd faced an HM Revenue & Customs winding-up petition at the High Court in London. The case was dismissed on April 15, but only after reaching a live hearing at the Rolls Building, with costs ordered against the company.
Separately, 1874 Holdings has faced a winding-up petition in Scotland. Hamilton later issued a statement acknowledging that petition, while saying the claim is disputed and that the company is seeking dismissal.
The latest Scottish wage claims come against a background of previous disciplinary action involving Hamilton. Earlier this year, the club was punished over failures to pay players on time and in full, resulting in a points deduction following an independent disciplinary process. Hamilton acknowledged that outcome in a club statement.
Companies House has also shown 1874 Holdings with overdue accounts and a strike-off notice. Those are separate processes from a winding-up petition, but they add to the list of recent off-field issues involving companies in the same football network.
There are also operational links between the two clubs. Haverfordwest publicly credited chief executive Beccy Nuttall with key work during the club’s licensing process earlier this month, while Hamilton has also announced Rebecca Nuttall in a senior role there.
The timing of the Haverfordwest case also drew attention because the club announced on April 8 that it had secured both its UEFA licence and FAW Tier 1 licence for the 2026-27 season, even though the HMRC petition remained live at that stage and was not disposed of until April 15.
The Herald contacted the Football Association of Wales for comment on the licensing position last week, but had received no response at the time of publication.
The Hamilton wage claims remain reports from Scotland, and there is no suggestion that Haverfordwest County AFC is facing the same issue. However, the developments are likely to be of interest to Bluebirds supporters because they concern companies and senior figures linked to the same wider football operation.
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