Russian warships tracked within the English Channel as Navy and RAF on excessive alert

Russian warships have been noticed as near the UK because the English Channel by the Royal Navy and RAF patrol plane, as they patrolled the realm.

HMS Tyne, HMS Portland and P8 Poseidon plane from RAF Lossiemouth monitored Russian navy actions within the English Channel, North Sea and north Atlantic.

Plymouth-based HMS Portland and the Poseidons tracked Russian vessels, together with corvettes Boikiy and Grad, cruiser Marshal Ustinov, the Udaloy-class destroyer Severomorsk and others.

A Royal Navy spokesman mentioned lots of the Russian vessels have been linked with the Russian Navy Day held in St Petersburg on July 30.

He mentioned: “With their collective array of powerful sensors for locating and tracking, the British submarine-hunting frigate and maritime patrol aircraft are a formidable duo for locating and monitoring operations, allowing for constant surveillance from the sea and air.

“Having detected a ship or submarine, the plane can talk the place, permitting a warship to intercept and monitor.”

Lieutenant Sam Charleston, one of HMS Portland’s bridge watch-keeping officers, said: “It was rewarding to conduct operations defending UK waters and pursuits. The workforce labored arduous in tough climate and troublesome situations.

“This is my third time conducting this type of operation and I enjoyed seeing the wide-area search capability that the P-8 brings and working with the RAF aircrew.”

Commander Ed Moss-Ward, HMS Portland’s commanding officer, mentioned: “P8 aircraft operating with a Type 23 frigate with an embarked Merlin helicopter provides the UK with a world-leading anti-submarine warfare capability.”

Portsmouth-based HMS Tyne shadowed three Russian ships in separate duties, together with Merkury, a Steregushchiy-class corvette and analysis ship Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov.

The offshore patrol vessel’s government officer, Lieutenant Ryan Grieg, mentioned: “The operations Tyne has executed over the last few weeks are a reflection of the hard work and dedication delivered by her ship’s company all year round.

“She has once more demonstrated her alacrity and adaptability in proving herself as an environment friendly asset offering assurance and safety in UK dwelling waters.”