Russian aircraft carrier sails into English Channel

HMS Dragon is escorting the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov through the English Channel

HMS Dragon (foreground), a Type 45 Royal Navy destroyer, escorting the Admiral Kuznetsov in the English Channel. The Russian warships are expected to head into the North Sea and back to Russia Photo: Crown

By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent

1:26PM BST 08 May 2014

A Russian aircraft carrier task group has sailed into the English Channel under escort by a Royal Navy warship.

HMS Dragon met the Russian warships in the south western approaches to the Channel on Wednesday and is shadowing them as they are expected to head into the North Sea and back to Russia.

The heavy carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is accompanied by the nuclear-powered Kirov class cruiser Peter the Great and several support ships after a five-month mission to the Mediterranean.

Naval sources said it was not unusual for Russian warships to pass through the channel and the Kuznetsov was also escorted past British waters on its way out in December when it passed Scotland heading south.

Capt Vadim Serga, spokesman for the Russian Northern Fleet, said: “The cruiser has accomplished its mission within the Navy task force in the Mediterranean and headed for Severomorsk. The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is expected to return to base by late May.”

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The Russian ships have spent months training in the Mediterranean, where the Kuznetsov’s Sukhoi Su-33 fighters and Kamov Ka-27 helicopters carried out more than 350 practice sorties. The ships also took part in missile and artillery firing drills.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: "We can confirm that HMS Dragon was activated as the fleet-ready escort vessel. She met the task group centred around the Admiral Kuznetsov."
Last month RAF Typhoon fighter intercepted two Russian long-range Nato reconnaissance 'Bear' aircraft as they approached Nato airspace north of Scotland.