The Royal Navy has closely monitored a Russian warship operating near UK waters for an entire month, as part of ongoing efforts to protect national security and critical infrastructure.
The Russian frigate, identified as the Admiral Grigorovich, was tracked continuously by British patrol vessels including HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn as it moved through the North Sea and waters west of the United Kingdom during April.
According to defence sources, the Russian warship also operated close to the Galloper wind farm off the Suffolk coast and paused to take on fuel and supplies near what officials described as “key national infrastructure” approximately 30km offshore.
Royal Navy patrol ships, support tankers, and Wildcat helicopters were all involved in tracking the vessel’s movements throughout the month-long operation.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “There was not one day last month when the Russian warship, her supporting vessels or the ships she was tasked with escorting were not closely watched by Royal Navy air or sea power.”
They added that the Admiral Grigorovich moved between the North Sea and Western Approaches, escorting Russian-flagged vessels travelling to and from the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Baltic regions.
The vessel reportedly accompanied a submarine and around six merchant and support ships during the period. It also made stops near sensitive maritime infrastructure, including offshore energy installations.
The month-long monitoring operation comes amid continued concerns over increased Russian naval activity close to British territorial waters.
In a separate incident late last year, a Russian corvette and tanker were escorted through the English Channel by the Royal Navy. The RFN Stoikiy and tanker Yelnya were tracked by HMS Severn as they passed through the Dover Strait.
The Ministry of Defence said there was no incident during the transit, with NATO allies later taking over monitoring duties as the vessels moved further into the Atlantic.
Another Russian intelligence vessel, the Yantar, was also detected operating near UK waters last year. The ship, known for its ability to map undersea communications cables, prompted a response involving Royal Navy ships and RAF P-8 surveillance aircraft.
During that operation, Russian crew members were reported to have directed lasers at RAF pilots, an action the Ministry of Defence described as “deeply dangerous”.
Defence Secretary John Healey previously issued a warning to Moscow, stating: “We see you, we know what you’re doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.”
The latest monitoring of the Admiral Grigorovich highlights ongoing tensions between the UK and Russia at sea, particularly around strategic infrastructure such as undersea cables, offshore energy sites, and key shipping routes.
The Royal Navy has reiterated its commitment to maintaining constant surveillance of foreign military vessels operating near British waters, as part of broader NATO maritime security operations.