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Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Royal Navy scrambles warship to see off Russian frigate lurking in English Channel
SEA STANDOFF 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. 2 HMS St Albans is a Type 23 Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy Credit: Getty The Navy also launched a Merlin Helicopter to further investigate the RFN Admiral Golovoko. 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.' He 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.' Once the Russian warship had reached Mediterranean waters, NATO allies stepped in.
The Irish Sun
26-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
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. 2 HMS St Albans is a Type 23 Duke-class frigate of the Royal Navy Credit: Getty The Navy also launched a Merlin Helicopter to further investigate the RFN Admiral Golovoko. 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.' He 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.' Once the Russian warship had reached Mediterranean waters, NATO allies stepped in. 2 This is one of a series of recent Russian naval incursions into British waters Credit: Dan Charity
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Royal Navy scrambles warship to see off Russian frigate that had entered British waters
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 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. About HMS St Albans The 23 frigate is the most recent addition to the Royal Navy's frigate fleet. It is one of the most versatile warships in the world. It has five Radar systems, six sonar systems and eight Weapon systems. It has a crew of 185 but can accommodate 205 people. It has anti-submarine operations, a Merlin MK2 helicopter and Fleet Ready Escort tasking. '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. 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.
