Vladimir Putin’s most modern frigate mocked Britain and France as it conducted war games as it crossed the English Channel on its long-distance maiden voyage.
The ultra-modern Admiral Golovko frigate of the Russian Northern Fleet is armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles.
These projectiles can travel about 900 kilometers at several times the speed of sound, making it almost impossible for conventional air defense systems to shoot them down.
The warship, one of 10 planned for production as part of Russia’s Project 22350, left its Arctic base in Severomorsk 11 days ago and sailed through the Barents, Norwegian and North seas before heading to the English Channel.
“The crew of the Admiral Golovko frigate of the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet conducted exercises in the English Channel,” the Russian Defense Ministry’s Zvezda television channel reported.
“The sailors practiced anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defense and conducted a rescue operation with Ka-27 helicopters.”
Footage showed the exercises as the ship passed through the narrowest point in the busy sea lane between England and France amid high tension between Moscow and the West over Putin’s war against Ukraine.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday pledged that their respective nations will support Ukraine for as long as it takes “to thwart Russia’s war of aggression”.
Ultra-modern frigate Admiral Golovko of the Russian Northern Fleet is armed with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles
Golovko targets another ship amid naval exercises
“The crew of the Admiral Golovko frigate of the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet conducted exercises in the English Channel,” the Russian Defense Ministry’s Zvezda television channel reported.
“The sailors practiced anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defense and carried out a rescue operation with Ka-27 helicopters”
Previously, the warship had conducted exercises in the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas and sailed 1,500 nautical miles on its first major mission.
French President Emmanuel Macron (right) waves flanked by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer upon arrival at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, on November 11, 2024.
The Russian Defense Ministry said of the Golovko exercises: “The combat crews of the frigate’s main command center trained to disperse dangerous targets in the difficult conditions of intensive navigation in the strait.”
The war exercises included “anti-terrorist exercises” repelling aerial and sea drones from a “simulated enemy,” naval sources said.
The 443-foot-long Admiral Golovko has already crossed the English Channel and is “currently conducting missions in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Previously, the warship had conducted exercises in the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas, and sailed 1,500 nautical miles on its first major mission.
State news agency TASS said: “The main objectives of the long-distance deployment are to display the Russian flag and ensure Russia’s naval presence in operationally important areas of the World Ocean.”
The 5,400-ton Admiral Golovko joined the Navy in December and is the third frigate in the Project 22350 series.
In addition to the Tsirkon, the frigate is armed with an A-192 130 mm artillery system, a Redut air defense missile system, launchers for 16 Oniks or Kalibr-NK anti-ship missiles and a Paket-NK anti-submarine system.
Their deployment to the Channel comes less than two weeks after Vladimir Putin personally supervised nuclear war exercises carried out by Russia’s strategic missile forces.
The main exercises spanned Russia, with Yars ICBM launches from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the northwest to the Kura test range in Kamchatka in the far east.
A test launch of a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is carried out from the Plesetsk launch pad in northwestern Russia.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov warned the West that the exercise was aimed at showing how Russia could carry out a “massive nuclear attack.”
The exercises spanned Russia, with Yars ICBM launches from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the northwest (pictured) to the Kura test range in Kamchatka in the far east.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a plenary session of the 3rd National Health Congress in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov warned the West that the exercise was intended to show how Russia could carry out “a massive nuclear strike using strategic offensive forces in response to a nuclear attack by the enemy.”
Nuclear-powered submarines, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system and two Tu-95MS bombers took part in Russia’s strategic nuclear deterrent force exercises, according to Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who briefed Putin on the surprise exercise.
Putin previously stated that it was necessary to keep his strategic forces “constantly combat-ready” and praised the ability of the latest Russian missiles to overcome air defense systems.
As Admiral Golovko crossed the English Channel, the British Prime Minister met with Emmanuel Macron in France for Armistice Day commemorations.
Sir Keir was the first UK Prime Minister to attend Armistice Day commemorations in France since Winston Churchill was received by General de Gaulle in 1944.
The couple gathered in Paris under the iconic Arc de Triomphe, where dozens of wreaths were touched by milky light and the eternal flame flickered to honor the sacrifices of unknown French soldiers who perished in the first global conflict.
“I am honored to be in Paris to join President Macron in honoring the fallen of World War I who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today,” Starmer said.
His defense secretary, John Healey, told Sky News that the ceremonies amounted to a reminder that “we can never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy in Europe.”
Following the Armistice Day commemorations, the two leaders held talks covering a range of topics, including Ukraine.
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron today pledged to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position” as they held talks following Donald Trump’s explosive election victory.
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron stand today at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the Place de l’Etoile in Paris.
The leaders jointly laid a wreath on the occasion of the Armistice Day anniversary.
Starmer and Macron pledged to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position” after Donald Trump’s explosive election victory.
The prime minister and president met in Paris amid growing fears that the United States will withdraw its support for kyiv and the possibility of a trade war.
A reading of the discussions published by Downing Street carefully makes no mention of Trump or the United States, but the two leaders will inevitably have covered the events.
“The leaders began by discussing the situation in Ukraine, including the best way to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position heading into the winter,” No. 10 said.
‘Regarding the Middle East, both stressed their deep concern about the situation in Gaza and Lebanon.
“They also reiterated the need for stability in the West Bank.”
The leaders also discussed the situation in the English Channel, with Sir Keir desperately trying to get France’s help to stop small boats crossing.
