Russia

Royal Navy and Royal Air Force deployed to shadow Russian warships

British aircraft and naval vessels were deployed to monitor and shadow a Russian task group which sailed close to the British Isles.

The Royal Navy used HMS Defender to monitor the three-strong group of warships, while the Royal Air Force (RAF) deployed aircraft to track the Russian forces.

A Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A), a multi-role maritime patrol aircraft, and Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were sent to assist in shadowing the group.

In a separate incident on 8 June, RAF Typhoons deployed to Estonia were scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft that flew near Nato and Swedish air space.

HMS Defender's Commanding Officer, Commander Peter Evans said: "HMS Defender is the fleet's quick reaction escort, which means we're ready to respond to any threats to the nation's safety or security.

"Escorting ships through UK waters is routine activity for the Royal Navy and demonstrates our commitment to the vital sea lanes upon which the UK depends.

"Defender and her crew have been engaged on operations over the past three years, covering four major oceans and most of the world's seas – and so we're accomplished at missions such as this."

HMS Defender monitoring the Russian warship Admiral Levchenko (Picture: Royal Navy).

The Russian ships were identified as the guided-missile frigate Admiral Grigorovich and two Stereguschiy II-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Stoikiy.

The Royal Navy's destroyer was assisted by her Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron.

HMS Portland, HMS Montrose, HMS Severn, HMS Mersey, HMS Northumberland, and HMS Kent have all been involved in similar operations to monitor Russian ships in the last month.