Moscow steps up maritime presence in North Sea after UK threats to seize shadow fleet oil tankers
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.
