UK sends escort ships to follow 4 Russian naval ships
Britain sent the frigate HMS Westminster to closely follow four Russian military ships as they passed through the English Channel.
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Frigate HMS Westminster. Photo:PA |
The Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster was dispatched to monitor four Russian ships that passed near British territorial waters last weekend. HMS Westminster will travel north with the Russian fleet,Reutersciting an announcement from the British Ministry of Defense on January 8.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, the Russian fleet, consisting of two corvettes Soobrazitelny and Boiky, and two support ships Paradoks and Kola, appeared to be returning from operations in the Middle East.
"The English Channel is vital to the UK. It is vital that HMS Westminster and the Royal Navy keep a close eye on this shipping lane," said Simon Kelly, commanding officer of HMS Westminster.
Britain said the number of similar incidents had increased in recent weeks. On December 24, Britain deployed a warship to escort the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov as it sailed near British territorial waters. In addition to the Admiral Gorshkov, at least three other Russian military vessels appeared near British territorial waters on the same day, forcing London to deploy a warship and two helicopters to monitor them.
