Overview

• HMS St Albans, along with a Merlin helicopter, monitored the Russian frigate Admiral Golovko as it sailed through the English Channel on April 26, 2025.
• The operation also involved tracking additional Russian vessels, including the corvette RFN Soobrazitelny and tanker Kola, with support from HMS Mersey and RFA Tidesurge.
• Admiral Golovko was returning to Severomorsk after participating in the Friendship Bridge 2025 naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
• The Royal Navy conducted these operations in coordination with NATO allies, emphasizing the importance of allied integration in response to frequent Russian naval activity.
• These actions align with the UK government’s Plan for Change, reinforcing commitments to home security and international maritime readiness.