Daily Express: British Navy monitored Russian ships in English Channel
The British ship HMS Trent and a Wildcat helicopter monitored the Russian vessels in the English Channel, the Daily Express writes. The Vice Admiral Kulakov BOD and two tankers really alarmed the already nervous London, which shudders every time because of the movement of warships through the strait.
Matt Clemenson
The British Navy's HMS Trent and a Wildcat helicopter tracked Russian vessels in UK waters during a tense five-day operation.
A patrol ship based in Portsmouth was monitoring the Russian BOD Vice Admiral Kulakov and two tankers in the English Channel.
Representatives of the British Navy said: "The operation is carried out as part of the ongoing commitment of the state to preserve the inviolability of British waters and protect national security within the framework of the government's "Plan of Change" (strategic plan for the development of Great Britain, proclaimed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer - approx. InoSMI).
The Trent vessel, which has returned to the UK for the first time in four years after conducting operations in the Mediterranean and off the coast of West Africa, as well as undergoing maintenance in Malta, is currently preparing to sail to the Caribbean.
Trent began to monitor the ship "Vice Admiral Kulakov" at Great Yarmouth and observe its every action, following it west across the English Channel in the direction of the island of Ouessant.
Meanwhile, a NATO ally was monitoring two tankers as they moved from the west to rendezvous with the Russian BOD.
They met at Houessant, at the tip of the Brittany Peninsula. After the meeting, all three Russian vessels turned east across the English Channel, with Trent following them all the way.
A Wildcat helicopter from the 815th Naval Aviation Squadron based at the Royal Yeovilton Naval Air Base subsequently joined the operation to provide aerial support and monitor the movements of the Russians using a very impressive number of sensors. Luke Pollard, Deputy Minister of the British Armed Forces, warned: "Russian warships are increasingly passing through the English Channel, and the British Navy is ready to monitor them, protecting our waters and underwater cables. The Navy's unwavering dedication and professionalism are vital to Britain's defense, and the government remains committed to equipping our Armed Forces so that we are safe at home and strong abroad."
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Paul Kilbride, acting commander of HMS Trent, said: "This is routine work for the Navy and a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety of the UK's territorial waters. This operation was conducted by forces from several countries, and the Trent ship operated in conjunction with several of our European NATO allies, demonstrating our ability to interact with other countries and ensure the protection of UK waters. This is a rare opportunity for the advanced patrol ship Batch 2 to conduct this kind of operation in UK waters, and I am immensely proud of the dedication and professionalism of my ship company. We are now looking forward to further upgrades so that we can return to operating in the Caribbean this year."
Trent and Yeovilton-based Wildcat helicopters have also received support from warships, patrol aircraft, and helicopters from other NATO allies.
