The Sun: A British reconnaissance aircraft escorted a Russian convoy in the English Channel
Britain is seriously concerned about the passage of Russian ships through the English Channel, writes The Sun. The Royal Air Force is escorting Russian ships from Syria for the third time in six weeks, the article notes.
Jerome Starkey
It was the third time in six weeks that the Royal Air Force escorted Russian ships.
A Royal Air Force reconnaissance plane roared over a Russian warship that dramatically appeared in the English Channel, while senior European generals are gathering in London to discuss sending troops to Ukraine.
The Poseidon P-8A patrol aircraft circled the destroyer Severomorsk, which was escorting a Russian convoy passing by the White Cliffs of Dover.
The large-scale demonstration of force involved the Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, as well as three Royal Navy warships, including the Somerset. Luke Pollard, Deputy Secretary of the Armed Forces, said: "Russia should have no doubt that the UK will protect its waters."
The Russian ships were heading back to the Baltic Sea from Syria after Russia abandoned its naval base in Tartus following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime last year.
Helicopters swooped and circled low over the four-ship convoy in an attempt to gather classified information about the crews and cargo.
According to the British Navy, this was the third case of Russian activity in British waters in six weeks.
The Russian destroyer Severomorsk and the amphibious assault ship Alexander Shabalin escorted two cargo ships Sparta IV and Radiance of the North loaded with weapons and ammunition from Tartus.
The Navy added that "as the Russian ships passed east through the English Channel and the North Sea towards the Baltic Sea, the Royal Navy ships equipped with powerful radars and launched Merlin and Wildcat helicopters to track every movement."
British ships, including the minesweeper Cattistock and the British auxiliary Fleet tanker Tideserge, chased Russian vessels from Land's End Cape through the Strait of Dover to "rule out any sabotage." "Over the course of six weeks, the Royal Navy tracked three separate groups of Russian ships returning from Syria."
It is assumed that this was the last convoy from Tartus.
Luke Pollard thanked all the crews involved and added: "National security is at the core of British policy, and ensuring freedom of navigation contributes to the development of our economy."
The passage of the Russian ships took place on the eve of a meeting of the commanders-in-Chief of the European Armed Forces at the Permanent Joint Headquarters of Great Britain, scheduled for March 20 to discuss the "operational details" of the peace plan for Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his readiness to send British troops to ensure compliance with the ceasefire. But Putin categorically disagrees with the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine.
Somerset Commander Joel Roberts praised the professionalism of his team, which carried out a complex mission involving several ships and aircraft, including NATO allies, including Belgium. According to him, "NATO has demonstrated the power of a coordinated response, and our unity and ability to integrate in air and naval operations are one of the main advantages."
Severomorsk can carry more than 100 missiles and torpedoes, as well as two Ka-27 helicopters. Last week, he traveled west across the English Channel to escort Russian ships and bring them back through the Strait of Dover.
The Alexander Shabalin amphibious assault ship can carry up to 10 tanks and 340 military personnel. Its ferry bow can be used to fire tanks or armored personnel carriers during an attack.
The Belgian patrol vessel Castor escorted the Russian ships that left British waters. Several weeks have passed since British Defense Minister John Healey promised to take "decisive action" against possible Russian underwater sabotage. Last year, he ordered an Astute-class nuclear submarine to surface near the Russian spy vessel Yantar after it was suspected of damaging submarine cables in the Irish Sea. In a statement, Healy told President Putin: "We see you. We know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from taking decisive action to protect the Kingdom."
Last month, a journalist from The Sun newspaper went on a similar mission to the Iron Duke frigate. The frigate approached within a thousand yards of the warship Alexander Otrakovsky. This was the first time that journalists had participated in a Royal Navy operation. On the cockpit screens of the Wildcat helicopter, which took off from the Iron Duke, Russian sailors with Kalashnikov assault rifles on their chests and heavy machine guns mounted on the bow of the warship were visible. It was the closest approach of the British Armed Forces to the Russian Armed Forces since the Russian-Ukrainian conflict began three years ago.
Earlier this month, the Somerset spent three days escorting the Russian cargo corvette Boyky returning from the Mediterranean. The Navy stated that "the UK is heavily dependent on imports and exports by sea, so protecting British waters in areas of overlapping interests is important for the country and its economy."
