London/Moscow, Aug. 29 -- The Royal Navy spent three days tracking a group of Russian vessels as they passed through UK waters last week, in what has been called by officials as an "intense" operation.
The 72-hour surveillance mission involved monitoring four Russian ships as they travelled from the North Sea through the English Channel. HMS Duncan, HMS St Albans and HMS Severn took part in the operation, supported by a Merlin helicopter.
Among the vessels being monitored was the Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko, which was seen escorting the cargo ships General Skobelev and Sparta towards Dover. Both cargo vessels are under UK sanctions.
Russia also deployed military assets of its own, including the frigate Neustrashimy, to protect th...