Three Royal Navy warships have been shadowing a Russian Navy job drive in waters near the UK.
Type 23 frigates HMS Westminster, HMS Lancaster and HMS Richmond tracked Slava-class cruiser, Marshal Ustinov, the sister ship of the ill-fated Moskva which sunk within the Black Sea in April.
They've additionally been maintaining a watch on Udaloy-class destroyer, Vice-Admiral Kulakov and tanker Vyazma because the three ships headed dwelling from the jap Mediterranean after supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since February.
On the identical time, patrol ship HMS Mersey has additionally shadowed Russian navy analysis vessel Akademik Ioffe on its journey south by way of the Dover transport lanes into the Channel.
A Royal Navy spokesman stated: “The frigates and their helicopters used an array of cutting-edge sensors and fashionable naval know-how to maintain shut watch within the Celtic Sea and thru the English Channel.”
HMS Westminster’s commanding officer (CO) Commander Ed Moss-Ward stated: “Maritime safety within the sea areas across the UK is essential to our prosperity and resilience.
“The Royal Navy routinely responds to escort warships in UK territorial waters and the adjoining sea areas to make sure compliance with maritime legislation, to discourage malign exercise and to guard our nationwide pursuits.
“Escorting the Russian job group has demonstrated that the Royal Navy is dedicated to sustaining maritime safety and to co-operating with our Nato allies.”
HMS Lancaster shadowed the Russian ships from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Celtic Sea as a part of Nato’s quick response job drive within the Atlantic.
HMS Westminster deployed from Portsmouth to intercept the Russian ships within the Celtic Sea the place the Marshal Ustinov was refuelled by the tanker Vyazma whereas HMS Richmond stored watch within the English Channel.
Commander Tom Johnson, CO of HMS Lancaster, stated: “Working collectively permits Nato allies to reply to safety challenges at tempo and collectively deter potential aggressors.
“Trade of personnel additional deepens Nato cohesion and interoperability in order that the alliance can swiftly and effectively react to any risk.”
Lancaster’s group work exceptionally onerous to make sure we're all the time prepared to reply to any risk at a second’s discover.”