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Russian Navy Enters Channel On Way To Exercises

Russian Navy Enters Channel On Way To Exercises

Warships from Russia's Northern Fleet have entered the English Channel ahead of planned anti-aircraft and anti-submarine drills.

The vessels are due to carry out the military exercises in the north Atlantic, according to the Interfax news agency.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the Royal Navy's HMS Argyll is monitoring the three Russian ships as they travel through the Channel.

While it is not unusual for Russian warships to travel through the Channel, the incident comes at a time of heightened tensions over Russia's military activities.

Last month Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered major military manoeuvres involving 40,000 servicemen to be carried out in the Arctic.

Mr Putin ordered the manoeuvres in order to check the battle readiness of the Northern Fleet.

Russian news agencies reported that more than 50 ships and submarines would take part in the drills.

In February, the Royal Navy revealed it had intercepted a Russian frigate and monitored the vessel's passage through the Channel.

HMS Argyll, a Type 23 frigate with advanced Artisan radar, used a Lynx helicopter and sensors to locate and monitor the Russian warship.

The ship passed within 20 miles of the Kent coastline.

NATO jets, including RAF Typhoons, have also intercepted Russian bombers close to UK airspace in recent months.

Last year several Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from HMS Lossiemouth to intercept two planes flying through international airspace.

The jets were sent to identify the planes, which turned out to be Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers.