The Royal Navy and RAF have been shadowing Russian warships as they sail through British waters for the third time in six weeks.
Four Russian ships on their way back from Syria were closely watched by British ships and helicopters reporting on their every move.
Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset, minehunter HMS Cattistock, RFA Tidesurge and Navy helicopters all kept watch as Russian ships RFN Severomorsk, RFN Alexander Shabalin, MV Sparta IV and MV Siyanie Severa made their way through our waters.
They began shadowing the Russian ships south of Portsmouth on Sunday, through the North Sea and through the Strait of Dover.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said: ‘Russia should be in no doubt that the UK will defend our waters. I’m grateful to all the personnel who shadowed this Russian convoy.
‘National security is a foundation of the government’s plan for change and ensuring freedom of navigation contributes to our economy.’
Warships from NATO allies also joined the operation, watching Russia transport more cargo from Syria.
This latest operation comes just two weeks after the last, which saw HMS Somerset complete a three-day mission watching RFN Boikiy as the corvette escorted merchant vessels Baltic Leader on its voyage from the Mediterranean Sea.
Pictures showed armed personnel on board the Russian ships.
The Baltic Leader was reportedly transporting military hardware from a Russian naval base in Tartus to the Ukraine frontlines. Satellite images showed heavy artillery guns, vehicles and shipping containers on the docks waiting to be loaded onto the ship.
During this most recent operation, HMS Somerset and her Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron began shadowing the Russian task group’s escort, Severomorsk, after tanker Tidesurge had monitored the destroyer in the North Sea and through the Strait of Dover.
The RAF also deployed a P8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth, collecting vital information as the Russians made their journey.
The Udaloy-class Severomorsk met the cargo and landing ships in the western reaches of the Channel, off Cornwall, where minehunter HMS Cattistock was already monitoring the Russian group.
As the Russian ships sailed east through the Channel and the North Sea towards the Baltic Sea, the Royal Navy ships deployed powerful sensors and launched the Merlin and Wildcat helicopters to report on every move.
Commander Joel Roberts, Commanding Officer of HMS Somerset said: ‘Over the last few days HMS Somerset has escorted Russian ships through UK waters in resolute support to our national priorities.
‘As ever, the ship’s company have shown great professionalism whilst conducting the operation that involved the integration and coordination of other ships, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft, including those from our NATO allies.
‘There is strength in a coordinated NATO response, and our unity and ability to deliver integration of air and maritime operations remain some of our greatest assets.’
Commanding Officer of HMS Cattistock, Lieutenant Commander Rob Garner, added: ‘Cattistock has recently completed a period of Operational Sea Training off western Scotland and my ship’s company are sharp and ready to protect the UK’s security at sea.’
It’s thought Putin is trying to move its military hardware out of Syria since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
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