Royal Navy tracks Russian frigate for one month off UK coast

Britain’s Royal Navy tracked and followed a Russian frigate every day last month as it sailed from the Atlantic to the North Sea as Moscow steps up its maritime presence after UK threats to seize shadow fleet oil tankers . The Russian navy’s Admiral Grigorovich escorted six Russia-linked vessels during April, including at least three under economic sanction passing east through the Dover strait, while being watched continuously by four UK ships and helicopters. The frigate, which naval spotters believe remains in the North Sea, was able to maintain its presence near Britain by taking on supplies near Galloper windfarm off the Suffolk coast. A second frigate, Admiral Kasatonov, passed through the Channel towards the end of April escorting two merchant ships believed to be heading towards Tartus in Syria, one of whom, the Sparta, is associated with the transport of arms. That convoy was monitored by a British auxiliary ship, the RFA Tideforce, part of a wider commitment of the UK’s stretched naval resources as maritime tensions between London and Moscow increase. The RFN Admiral Grigorovich (foreground) is monitored by the Royal Navy’s RFA Tideforce. Photograph: MoD Crown Copyright/PA John Healey, the defence secretary, said a month ago that the British navy had followed three Russian submarines on a monthlong mission sailing over pipelines and cables near UK waters, probably spying on the infrastructure below. …