Russian warships spotted in English Channel

Russian warships have been spotted as close to the UK as the English Channel, by the Royal Navy and RAF patrol aircraft, as they patrolled the area. HMS Tyne, HMS Portland and P8 Poseidon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth were monitored by Russian navy movements in the North Sea, North Sea and the English Channel. The HMS Portland and the Poseidons in Plymouth were among the Russian shipyards that spotted Russian ships, such as corvettes Boikiy and Grad, cruiser Marshal Ustinov, the Udaloy-class destroyer Severomorsk and others. A Royal Navy spokesman said many of the Russian ships were linked to the Russia Navy Day held in St Petersburg on July 30. The British submarine-hunting frigate and maritime patrol aircraft are a colossal duo for locating and tracking operations, allowing for constant surveillance from the sea and air. The aircraft communicates with a warship, which can intercept and track a ship. It was rewarding to conduct operations protecting UK waters and interests, said Lieutenant Sam Charleston, one of HMS Portland's bridge watch-keeping officers. The team worked hard in difficult conditions and rough weather. This is my third time conducting this type of operation, and I enjoyed seeing the wide-area search capabilities that the P-8 brings and working with the RAF aircrew. Commander Ed Moss-Ward, HMS Portland's commanding officer, said: P8 aircraft operating with a Type 23 frigate with an embarked Merlin helicopter provides the UK with a world-leading anti-submarine warfare capabilities. HMS Tyne, a Portsmouth-based ship commander, shadowed three Russian ships in separate missions, including Merkury, a Steregushchiy-class corvette and research ship Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov. The operations Tyne has carried out over the last few weeks are a reflection of the hard work and dedication delivered by her ship's company all year round, Grieg said. She has again demonstrated her alacrity and flexibility in demonstrating her ability to prove herself as an efficient asset providing assurance and security in UK home waters.