A Russian warship brazenly prowling British waters has been monitored and tracked by the Royal Navy who launched to intercept the Kremlin vessel from the sea and air. The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans swiftly set sail today (April 26), supported by a Merlin helicopter, to gather information on the Russian vessel, the RFN Admiral Golovoko.

The piece of Putin's war machine was heading east through the busy shipping lanes of the English Channel as it worked its way from the Mediterranean back towards Russia. Fighting ship Admiral Golovoko is equipped with ship-to-ship missiles, guns, air defences and torpedoes.

HMS St Albans, which at 436-feet in length is a similar size to the Golovoko, is a versatile warship capable of anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-air operations.

Elsewhere in the Channel, Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Mersey tracked another Russian ship, RFN Soobrazitelny, as the corvette sailed westward, while Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidesurge supported the operations.

Russian tanker Kola was also monitored heading in the same direction in a coordinated effort with the Joint Maritime Security Centre.

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.

“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.”

This operation follows the Prime Minister’s visit to HMS Prince of Wales on Thursday, visiting sailors, aviators, soldiers and Royal Marines onboard.

Having departed from Portsmouth on Tuesday, the flagship leads the Carrier Strike Group as it deploys to the Indo-Pacific. By sending the Royal Navy’s largest and most powerful aircraft carrier to the region, the government is keeping the UK is secure at home and strong abroad, one of the foundations of its Plan for Change.

A statement from the Royal Navy added: "Protecting our waters in this way demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring the UK is secure at home and strong abroad, a firm commitment made in the Government’s Plan for Change."

For HMS St Albans, it was the second such activation this month, having monitored Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoikiy in a three-day operation two weeks ago.

This latest operation follows the Prime Minister’s visit to HMS Prince of Wales on Thursday, where he met sailors, aviators, soldiers, and Royal Marines onboard.