The United Kingdom found itself in an awkward position after British forces were left to watch as the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich escorted two tankers through the English Channel, just two weeks after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s high-profile remarks about a «crusade» against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

Retired first-rank captain and military expert Vasily Dandykin described the episode as a deliberate and carefully staged precedent. In his view, the Russian Navy demonstrated that Starmer’s rhetoric carries weight only to the extent allowed by Russia’s actual military capabilities.

As cited by MK, Dandykin argued that the situation changes dramatically when a tanker is accompanied not by civilian vessels alone, but by a combat frigate armed with Kalibr missiles. He said Russia had taken what he called adequate protective measures after the emergence of a threat to seize Russian commercial shipping, resulting in the appearance of an armed convoy.

Dandykin also said Admiral Grigorovich is now likely operating in the interests of the Baltic Fleet, calling that a highly competent decision. He stressed that the ship is a serious combat unit equipped with powerful strike weapons. In his assessment, the frigate’s appearance off the British coast was meant as a signal that the Russian Navy is capable of protecting the country’s economic interests.

He added that, if necessary, Russia could reinforce its presence in the area with heavier Northern Fleet warships, including the frigates Admiral Gorshkov, Admiral Golovko, and Admiral Kasatonov, which belong to the far-ocean class.