Russian warships pass through English Channel

Russian warships have been monitored passing through the English Channel, believed to be on their way to the Mediterranean and Syria.

Observing the Russian task group during transit from the British Royal Navy HMS Richmond, shadowing Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov on 19 October. Source: BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Royal Navy vessels monitored Russian warships on Friday as they passed through the English Channel thought to be heading to eastern Mediterranean to bolster the attack on the besieged city Aleppo.

The Russian vessels, including the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, were being shadowed by the Navy as they sailed via the Dover Strait.

British type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan sailed from Portsmouth on Tuesday to "man-mark" the Kuznetsov group, and Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond escorted the group from the Norwegian Sea as it steamed south.

A handout image shows British Royal Navy HMS Richmond shadowing Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov on 19 October 2016. Source: BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

The Norwegian military on Wednesday (October 19) released pictures taken by surveillance aircraft of the fleets sailing in international waters.

Russia's TASS state news agency said in July that the Admiral Kuznetsov would take part in a Russian operation in Syria from October to January. The warship would carry 15 Su-33 and MIG-29K jet fighters and over 10 Ka-52K, Ka-27 and Ка-31 helicopters, it said.

The Russian deployment comes as Theresa May condemned Vladimir Putin's aggression in Syria, accusing Moscow of being behind "sickening atrocities" in support of Bashar Assad's regime.