Russian Warships Escorted Through English Channel

Royal Navy frigate HMS Sutherland is escorting two Russian warships through the English Channel.

The Type 23 frigate located the two Russian ships in the early hours of Friday morning as they sailed through the North Sea towards the Dover Straits.

It's the third time Russian warships have been escorted through the Channel in the last six months.​​​​​

The Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Boiky, are being tracked using state-of-the-art radars which follow their course and speed as they pass close to the UK. 

Defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

"HMS Sutherland is carefully marking these Russian ships as they pass close to UK waters. The Royal Navy maintains a vigilant watch and is always ready to keep Britain safe."

HMS Sutherland is one of the Royal Navy's high readiness units. Her Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Canale, said:

"It is vitally important the Royal Navy demonstrates its presence and commitment to the integrity of UK territorial waters as we work around the clock to secure the seas of our island nation."

In October last year Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov crossed the English channel on its way to support Russian forces off the coast of Syria. She was escorted by HMS Duncan and HMS Richmond.

Three months later, she returned through British waters. She's thought to have bombed over 1,000 targets in Syria.