An archive image of Russian military ship Severomorsk as it passes through Dardanelles (Image: Getty)

       Russian warships have been spotted as close to the UK as the English Channel by the Royal Navy and RAF patrol aircraft, as they patrolled the area.

       HMS Tyne, HMS Portland and P8 Poseidon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth monitored Russian navy movements in the English Channel, North Sea and north Atlantic.

       Plymouth-based HMS Portland and the Poseidons tracked Russian vessels, including corvettes Boikiy and Grad, cruiser Marshal Ustinov, the Udaloy-class destroyer Severomorsk and others.

       A Royal Navy spokesman said many of the Russian vessels were linked with the Russian Navy Day held in St Petersburg on July 30.

       He said: "With their collective array of powerful sensors for locating and tracking, the British submarine-hunting frigate and maritime patrol aircraft are a formidable duo for locating and monitoring operations, allowing for constant surveillance from the sea and air.

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       "Having detected a ship or submarine, the aircraft can communicate the position, allowing a warship to intercept and track."

       Lieutenant Sam Charleston, one of HMS Portland's bridge watch-keeping officers, said: "It was rewarding to conduct operations protecting UK waters and interests. The team worked hard in rough weather and difficult conditions.

       "This is my third time conducting this type of operation and I enjoyed seeing the wide-area search capability that the P-8 brings and working with the RAF aircrew."

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       Russian president Vladimir Putin on Navy Day in St. Petersburg (Image: Getty)

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       Commander Ed Moss-Ward, HMS Portland's commanding officer, said: "P8 aircraft operating with a Type 23 frigate with an embarked Merlin helicopter provides the UK with a world-leading anti-submarine warfare capability."

       Portsmouth-based HMS Tyne shadowed three Russian ships in separate tasks, including Merkury, a Steregushchiy-class corvette and research ship Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov.

       The offshore patrol vessel's executive officer, Lieutenant Ryan Grieg, said: "The operations Tyne has executed over the last few weeks are a reflection of the hard work and dedication delivered by her ship's company all year round.

       "She has again demonstrated her alacrity and flexibility in proving herself as an efficient asset providing assurance and security in UK home waters."

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