LONDON – For the entirety of April, units of the Royal Navy kept a close watch on the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich. The vessel navigated between the North Sea and the Western Approaches, a continuous operation involving multiple British assets.
The frigate escorted one submarine and approximately six Russian-flagged merchant and support vessels during its transit. Its movements included periods near key national infrastructure, notably the Galloper wind farm off the Suffolk coast, where it paused for refueling and resupply.
Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse commented on the operation, stating that crews “demonstrated professionalism, resilience and operational readiness.” He emphasized the swift deployment and coordinated efforts of Royal Navy units to ensure “continuous and seamless monitoring” of Russian warships, maintaining an “unbroken posture.”
Persistent Observation
The monitoring operation involved patrol ships HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn, supported by the tanker RFA Tideforce and Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron. These forces tracked the Admiral Grigorovich throughout the month.
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The frigate's route saw it moving between the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Baltic regions, escorting Russian-flagged shipping. Its proximity to offshore energy installations like the Galloper wind farm has been highlighted.
Broader Context of Maritime Surveillance
This extended observation comes amid broader concerns about increased Russian naval activity near British waters. Recent incidents include Russian vessels, such as the intelligence ship Yantar, being detected operating in proximity to the UK. Last year, a Russian warship and a tanker were observed in the English Channel, and the Yantar appeared near UK waters on a second occasion, with reports of Russian crew members reportedly pointing lasers at RAF pilots tracking the vessel.
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Concerns about the security of undersea cables and pipelines have also been voiced, with a warning issued regarding potential damage to such infrastructure.
Royal Navy's Mandate
The Royal Navy maintains a standing operation, referred to as 'Operation Ceto' at times, focused on monitoring submarine activity and protecting critical undersea infrastructure. This ongoing mission underscores the demands placed on Britain’s maritime defences and the continuous requirement to safeguard national security and territorial waters. Previous operations have seen frigates like HMS Iron Duke deployed to monitor Russian naval movements.
