LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters)– A British frigate accompanied Russian ships via the English Channel on Monday, Britain’s protection ministry claimed, including that it was the most recent indicator of an upswing in Russian marine task near UK waters over the joyful duration.

Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster was sent out to check 4 Russian vessels over the weekend break as they passed near to British waters, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed, and also will certainly remain with the battleships as they head north.

The MoD included that 2 Russian frigates, Soobrazitelny and also Boiky, and also assistance vessels, Paradoks and also Kola, were thought to be returning from procedures in the Middle East.

“The English Channel is an absolute lifeline for the UK, and it is very important HMS Westminster and the Royal Navy maintains a watchful eye on this key strategic link,” Simon Kelly, Commanding Officer of HMS Westminster, claimed in a declaration.

Britain claimed that the variety of such occurrences had actually boosted in current weeks.

Over Christmas, a British ship accompanied brand-new Russian battleship Admiral Gorshkov as it passed near UK territorial waters, which Britain claimed was among a 4 of vessels kept an eye on throughout that duration. (Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing and enhancing by Michael Holden)

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