Royal Navy shadowed a Russian destroyer through the English Channel

U.K: Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster shadowed a Russian destroyer through the English Channel.

Portsmouth-based HMS Westminster, along with patrol ship HMS Tyne, monitored the passage of the Russian warship Vice Admiral Kulakov as it passed south through the English Channel.

Commander Will Paston, the Commanding Officer of HMS Westminster, 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.”

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.

HMS Westminster, a Type 23 frigate, is supported by her embarked Merlin helicopter from Culdrose-based 814 Naval Air Squadron.

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.”