UK Royal Navy tracks Russian cruisers in national waters for "maritime security"

Three Royal Navy warships shadowed a Russian Navy task force as it passed through waters close to the UK.

HMS Westminster, HMS Lancaster and HMS Richmond, all Type 23 frigates, tracked the Slava-class cruiser Marshal Ustinov as the Russian group headed home from the eastern Mediterranean after supporting President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, per Sky News.

Marshal Ustinov was accompanied by Udaloy-class destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov and tanker Vyazma.

The cruiser is the sister ship of the doomed Russian warship Moskva, which Ukraine says sunk in a missile attack and Russia claims sank during a storm after a fire detonated ammunition on board.

Patrol ship HMS Mersey also shadowed the Russian military research vessel, Akademik Ioffe, on its journey south through the Dover shipping lanes and into the Channel.

HMS Westminster's commanding officer (CO), Commander Ed Moss-Ward, said that maritime security in the sea areas around the UK is crucial to the kingdom's prosperity and resilience.

"The Royal Navy routinely responds to escort warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas to ensure compliance with maritime law, to deter malign activity and to protect our national interests. Escorting the Russian task group has demonstrated that the Royal Navy is committed to maintaining maritime security and to co-operating with our NATO allies," he said.