Royal navy shadows russian warships in the channel

Navy chiefs said there had been "unusually high levels" of activity in the English Channel and North Sea. Type 23 frigates HMS Kent, HMS Sutherland, HMS Argyll and HMS Richmond

joined offshore patrol vessels HMS Tyne and HMS Mersey, along with RFA Tideforce, RFA Tidespring and HMS Echo to tail the Russian ships. Sailors and aircrew monitored the Russian movements

with state-of-the-art radar, surveillance cameras and sensors as helicopters flew overhead to gather intelligence. Three Russian corvettes, two landing ships and two frigates were spotted

and tailed during the operation. Royal Navy surgeons, GPs, nurses and medical specialists are helping to treat coronavirus patients in UK hospitals. Lieutenant Nick Ward of HMS Tyne said:

"As the Armed Forces are helping the NHS save lives in the UK, it's essential the Navy continues to deliver the tasks we have always performed to help keep Britain safe." HMS

Sutherland had just returned from an Arctic training exercise when the crew was ordered into action. Operations officer Lt Hannah Lee said: "Our successful integration into the maritime

group proves our ability to adapt to task group operations at short notice. "Having proved we can work together and contribute once again to Nato operations, we now look to return to

UK national tasks in support of the very highest defence priorities."