A British destroyer is shadowing a Russian naval task group as it passes the English coast, the Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday.
HMS Defender was called upon to sail over the weekend and keep watch on the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and three auxiliary ships as they neared U.K. territorial waters off Scotland.
It will continue to escort the Russian group this week as it passes through the English Channel, the ministry said.
"We will continue to work with our allies to shadow Russian ships passing through international waters close to our shores, to ensure the Russian navy follows the correct protocol on its journey," Armed Forces minister Mark Lancaster added in a statement.
Royal Navy ships routinely shadow Russian warships through the English Channel. Last May, Royal Navy head, First Sea Lord Admiral Philip Jones, said in a speech that Britain was facing "significantly emboldened Russian naval activity, which is continually testing our resolve."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
