Royal Navy HMS Portland (F79), a Type 23 frigate, is monitoring the Russian Navy guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov (Project 22350) and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters in the English channel.
This morning the three ships should be south of Portsmouth. The Russian ships are proceeding at low speed (less than six knots) in a SSW direction.
Commander Ed Moss-Ward, HMS Portland’s commanding officer, said: “By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity to protect our nation’s interests.
“Escorting the Russian task group alongside forces from our Nato allies has demonstrated the UK’s commitment to the alliance and to maintaining maritime security.”
HMS Portland departed her home port of Plymouth on Saturday on patrol.
The Admiral Gorshkov left its port of assignment, in the Murmansk area, on 4th of January for a long cruise that will take it to the Indian Ocean, via the Mediterranean (where it could stay for up to a year), the ship would be armed with new Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles.
The Russian ships are scheduled to arrive in the Mediterranean early next week.
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