Royal Navy destroyer intercepts Russian warship off UK coast

A Royal Navy destroyer has intercepted and monitored a Russian warship as it sailed through UK waters.

HMS Duncan, based in Portsmouth, was deployed by NATO Allied Maritime Command, the Royal Navy said. The Type 45 destroyer - and helicopter, a Wildcat model - were scrambled to shadow Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov.

It is the first time a Royal Navy warship has been tasked directly under the alliance's direct command for such an operation, a Navy spokesman said. The shadowing task happened from last Friday to Sunday.

The destroyer used advanced sensors and systems to intercept the Russian vessel in the North Sea. It monitored its westward passage through the English Channel towards the island of Ushant, off the French coast.

The operation also involved the Dutch Air Force NH90 and the French Navy. The NATO Allied Maritime Command is headquartered in Northwood, Middlesex.

Al Carns, minister for the armed forces, said: "The Royal Navy stands ready to respond to any Russian Naval activity. "They conduct constant monitoring operations to safeguard Britain and our territorial waters." Commander Dan Lee, HMS Duncan's commanding officer, said: "This operation highlights the Royal Navy's commitment to safeguarding UK waters and working seamlessly with our NATO allies to ensure the security of our shared maritime spaces." HMS Duncan is one of two Royal Navy warships attached to the NATO task force Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) which patrols northern European waters.

The Royal Navy announced details of the operation after it was revealed British Storm Shadow cruise missiles were used in a "massive" strike by Ukraine against a chemical plant inside Russia. The use of the British-supplied weapons will likely trigger new threats and condemnation from the Kremlin.

The UK gave Ukraine permission to use its Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia last year, with the first known strikes happening in November..