Royal Navy spots Russian warship near UK for second time this month

The Royal Navy has once again deployed forces to escort a Russian warship through the English Channel, marking the second such operation this month.

According to a statement released on April 26, HMS St Albans was dispatched from Plymouth to monitor the RFN Admiral Golovko, a Russian frigate spotted "prowling" near UK waters, Caliber.Az reports, citing UK media.

The British warship also launched a Merlin helicopter to conduct aerial surveillance, before transferring escort duties to NATO allies as the Golovko continued its journey from the Mediterranean.

HMS St Albans' Commanding Officer, Matt Teare, praised his crew’s readiness and professionalism.

"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," he said. "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."

Earlier this month, HMS St Albans was similarly tasked with shadowing the Russian corvette Stoikiy during a three-day operation. The Navy confirmed that HMS Mersey, based in Portsmouth, had also recently tracked the RFN Soobrazitelny as it sailed westward through the Channel. In a coordinated effort with the Joint Maritime Security Centre, the Russian tanker Kola was likewise monitored.

By Khagan Isayev