The Royal Navy has mobilised a warship to track and see off a Russian frigate sailing through the English Channel.
The Russian vehicle, RFN Admiral Golovoko, was spotted sailing east through British waters.
In response, the Plymouth-based ship, HMS St Albans, was activated to closely monitor the warship.
The Royal Navy also launched a Merlin Helicopter to gather further information about Vladimir Putin‘s vessel from the air.
Once RFN Admiral Golovoko reached the Mediterranean, escorting duties were handed over to NATO allies.
HMS St Albans’ captain, 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.
Pictured: HMS St Albans (front) shadowing Russian warship RFN Admiral Golovoko (back)
Pictured: The Royal Navy’s Merlin Helicopter gathering further information about the Russian vessel from the air
‘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.’
Two weeks ago, HMS St Albans was activated to monitor Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoikiy in a three-day operation.
The slick operation today, follows the Prime Minister’s visit to HMS Prince of Wales on Thursday, visiting sailors, aviators, soldiers, and Royal Marines onboard.
The flagship departed on Tuesday from Portsmouth to lead the Carrier Strike Group as it deploys to the Indo-Pacific.
The strike group will travel to the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia on an eight-month voyage, accompanied by escort ships from international allies.
Sending the Royal Navy’s largest and most powerful aircraft to the region is part of the government’s Plan for Change to keep the UK secure at home.
Before the ship departed, Sir Keir Starmer insisted that Britain is ‘sending a message’ to enemies.
The Carrier Strike Group also includes destroyer HMS Dauntless and frigate HMS Richmond along with warships from Norway and Canada.
Once RFN Admiral Golovoko (back) reached the Mediterranean, HMS St Albans’ (front) escorting duties were handed over to NATO allies
Pictured: HMS St Albans’ captain, Commander Matt Teare; the frigate has a crew of 185 people
The deployment comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for Nato allies to do more to provide their own defence.
Meanwhile in the Channel today, Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Mersey tracked RFN Soobrazitelny as the corvette sailed westward.
While Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidesurge supported the operations.
In a coordinated effort with the Joint Maritime Security Centre, Russian tanker Kola was also monitored heading in the same direction.
The sighting of the warship follows Russia’s deadly drone strike in Ukraine on the same day as Pope Francis’ funeral.
Strikes in the war-torn nation were underway today in at least six regions even as the US president reportedly met Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome before the pontiff was laid to rest.
Putin was not on the guest-list to attend Francis’ funeral as there is currently an International Criminal Court warrant out for his arrest.
