British Navy Escorts Russian Submarine Passing Through English Channel

© Sputnik / Igor Russak / Go to the mediabankLaunching the submarine Krasnodar in St. Petersburg
Launching the submarine Krasnodar in St. Petersburg - Sputnik International
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The British HMS Somerset frigate escorted the Russian Kilo-class diesel-electric Krasnodar submarine as it passed through the English Channel early on Friday, the Royal Navy reported on its official website.

According to the report, the Plymouth-based ship located the Russian submarine on Friday morning and then followed her through the Dover Strait and the rest of the English Channel during the weekend.

"Policing the sea both in home waters and further afield is a core business for the Royal Navy," Commander Tim Berry, the commanding officer of HMS Somerset, was quoted as saying by the report.

"Escorting foreign warships, in this case a Russian submarine, through UK waters is just part of our ongoing effort to protect our island nation," he added.

The Krasnodar entered service with the Russian Naval Forces in 2015 and is the fourth of six 636.3 Project submarines. They feature advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.

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The Royal Navy regularly escorts Russian ships and submarines through the English Channel. However, the incidents have drawn increased attentions since relations between Moscow and the West have soured.

In mid-April, HMS Sutherland had accompanied a Russian naval group passing through the English Channel.

According to the UK Defense Ministry, the group consisted of the Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Soobrazitelny and Boiky, as well as a support tanker and an oceangoing tug.

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The British Secretary of Defense Michael Fallon said at the time that the frigate was "carefully marking these Russian ships as they pass close to UK waters. The Royal Navy maintains a vigilant watch and is always ready to keep Britain safe."

In January, Fallon made a disrespectful remark about the Russian Northern Fleet carrier group led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier returning from Syria to its base in northern Russia via the English Channel.

The secretary called it a "ship of shame" and said that the UK would be "man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the UK as part of its steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe."

 

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