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Royal Navy shadows Russian warships off Ireland which are ‘making a point to Britain’ in ‘concerning’ sign of Putin’s increased aggression
- The group of ships are believed to have been supporting the war in Ukraine
- Led by Slava-class cruiser Marshall Ustinov, sister ship of the destroyed Moskva
- Not known where ships will go now but could go past the naval base Faslane
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The Royal Navy is shadowing Russian warships off the south coast of Ireland which are ‘making a point to Britain’ in a ‘concerning’ sign of Putin’s increased aggression.
According to navy sources, the group of Russian ships are believed to have been supporting the war in Ukraine.
They are led by the Slava-class cruiser Marshall Ustinov, which is the sister ship of the Ukrainian missile-destroyed Moskva.
Russia’s group of warships also includes the destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov and the tanker Vyazma, along with a suspected submarine.
According to the Times, it is not known where the ships will next go, but sources have claimed that the ships are ‘making a point’ to Britain that they are close by.
Some naval experts have said they could go past a naval base at Faslane. If the boats take a route like this, naval ships may have to patrol for more time than expected, as Faslane houses Britain’s nuclear deterrent.
According to navy sources, the group of Russian ships are believed to have been supporting the war in Ukraine. Pictured: A handout photo of the Vice Admiral Kulakov ship
The fleet of boats is led by the Marshall Ustinov, which is the sister ship of the Ukrainian missile-destroyed Moskva. Pictured: The Moskva after it was struck by Ukrainian missiles earlier this year
Some naval experts have said they could go past a naval base at Faslane. If the boats take a route like this, naval ships may have to patrol for more time than expected, as Faslane houses Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Pictured: A map showing Faslane
Former captain of a nuclear-powered submarine and commander Ryan Ramsey said: ‘The Russians have every right to do this but it’s definitely posturing and a return to more aggressive Cold War behaviour by them.
‘This might be part of Putin’s strategy of pushing Nato in every environment. Within this group there will be a Russian hunter-killer but she won’t enter the Irish Sea because the tidal stream currents would make it too dangerous.
Mr Ramsey said that the warships will reach HMNB Clyde (Faslane) if they continue taking their current route up the Irish sea which could ’cause mischief’.
And Mr Ramsey described it as a ’cause for concern.’ Faslane is where the Royal Navy trains warships and submarines.
Meanwhile, a navy source said that the actions of the Russian warships appear to be a way of them ‘making a point’ but said that their movements are not unusual. Pictured: The Admiral Ustinov leaves the Mediterranean sea on 24 August
Meanwhile, a navy source said that the actions of the Russian warships appear to be a way of them ‘making a point’ but said that their movements are not unusual.
Independent defence analyst HI Sutton said that the Ustinov ship had left the Mediterranean last week.
The warships are believed to be going home after six months supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Elsewhere, an ex-commander of warships in the navy, Tom Sharpe, said that taking a route via the Irish Sea is not as common as other ways.
But he added that it is a sheltered route and because it is near to Faslane’s naval base there is a chance for the warships to ’cause mischief.’
And Mr Sharpe said that the manoeuvring of the boats looks like they had turned into the prevailing wind to refuel prior to entering waters which were more restricted.