Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster shadows Russian warship as it sails through English Channel
- HMS Westminster monitored the passage of the Russian warship on Sunday
- Passage of warships through English Channel are routinely monitored
- Commanding officer said the warship conducted itself in ‘safe’ manner
A Royal Navy frigate has shadowed a Russian destroyer as it sailed through the English Channel.
Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster, along with patrol ship HMS Tyne, monitored the passage of the Russian warship Vice Admiral Kulakov on Sunday.
The Russian warship conducted itself in a safe manner, according to the frigate’s commanding officer.
Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster, a type 23 frigate (pictured centre), as she escorts Russian warship Vice Admiral Kulakov (behind) through the English Channel on Sunday, above and below
The Russian warship conducted itself in a safe manner, according to the frigate’s commanding officer
Commander Will Paston, the commanding officer of the Type 23 frigate, said: ‘The Royal Navy routinely monitors the passage of warships through the UK’s area of interest as part of its ongoing mission to support the defence of the UK.
‘The Vice Admiral Kulakov conducted itself in a safe and professional manner throughout its transit.’
A navy spokesman said: ‘Royal Navy sailors and aircrew monitored every movement of the Russian warship using state-of-the-art radar, surveillance cameras and sensors, allowing them to track the ship’s course and speed as it passed the British Isles.’
Minister for the Armed Forces James Heapey said: ‘Once again the Royal Navy has proven its ability to maintain the sovereignty of the United Kingdom territorial waters.
‘I am hugely impressed by the professional way the sailors of HMS Westminster and Tyne have responded.’