Royal Navy scrambles warship to see off Russian frigate lurking in English Channel
THE Royal Navy has leapt into action after a Russian warship was spotted slipping through the English Channel.
The Russian frigate Admiral Golovko was spotted heading east through the English Channel - swiftly prompting the Navy to launch HMS St Albans to shadow the vessel and escort it out of UK waters.
The Navy’s Plymouth-based frigate stuck close to Vladimir Putin’s warship.
A Merlin helicopter was also launched by the Navy to track the vessel from above and gather further information.
Once the Russian warship entered Mediterranean waters, NATO allies took over the escort duty.
HMS St Albans Commanding Officer, Commander Matt Teare, said: “HMS St Albans is at very high readiness to operate whenever, and wherever, the nation needs us in the protection of our home and the waters surrounding it.
“We have twice been activated in recent weeks to conduct this type of operation and I am extremely proud of the professionalism of my crew and their tireless dedication to keeping our nation safe.
“We were proud to work alongside HMS Mersey and I would like to thank RFA Tidesurge for her logistical support during the operation.”
Teare added: “HMS St Albans is currently operating as part of a NATO Task Group and the regularity of Russian activity around the United Kingdom reinforces the vital importance of continuous integration with our allies and partners.”
Just two weeks ago, the HMS St Albans was sent on a similar operation, spending three days monitoring the Russian Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoikiy.
In early March, an armed Russian warship was spotted escorting a huge sanctioned cargo vessel through the English Channel.
The Royal Navy shadowed corvette Boikiy for three days as it guided the Baltic Leader - a merchant vessel sanctioned by the US for transporting Russian military hardware - through UK waters.