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A ROYAL Navy warship swooped on a Russian frigate sailing through the English Channel as Britain was battered by Storm Ciaran.
HMS Richmond “kept constant watch” as Admiral Grigorovich headed towards the Mediterranean through the North Sea and the Dover Strait.
Type 23 frigate Richmond was in Norway for NATO training when the ship was deployed to monitor the Grigorovich.
The operation involved following the Russian frigate through stormy seas during Storm Ciaran – which brought 104mph hurricane winds and an amber warning of danger to life.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “Warship HMS Richmond kept constant watch on Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich, tracking her in the North Sea and maintaining permanent contact.
“After first monitoring their activity in the North Sea, Richmond, with her 185-strong crew, continued to shadow the Russian warship through the Dover Strait and down towards the Mediterranean Sea – all the while contending with choppy conditions in the wake of Storm Ciaran.”
HMS Richmond’s commanding officer, Commander Chris L’Amie, said the Navy was “demonstrating our steadfast commitment to the Nato alliance”.
He said: said: “The English Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
“Close monitoring and shadowing of Russian warships in UK waters and adjacent sea areas encourages their compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity.
“By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy is demonstrating our steadfast commitment to the Nato alliance and maintaining maritime security, which is crucial to our national interests.”
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