U.K. Royal Navy warship HMS St Albans escorted the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and other support vessels through the English Channel as they passed on their way back from Syria Wednesday.
Although the escort is a routine mission that occurs several times a year when Russian ships pass through the Channel, the escort has special meaning this time. It is intended to shame the Russians for their recent actions in Syria, which led to thousands being evacuated from Aleppo and other parts of the war-torn country, according to analysis by the BBC.
RAF Typhoon aircraft are supporting the British warship as they monitor the Admiral Kuznetsov to ensure the safety of all nations in the area and “provide reassurance to the nations which border the North Sea and English Channel," The Guardian reported.
Defense secretary Michael Fallon did not even try to hide his contempt, saying, “We will keep a close eye on the Admiral Kuzetsov as it skulks back to Russia; a ship of shame whose mission has only extended the suffering of the Syrian people,” The Guardian reported.
“We are man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the U.K. as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe,” Fallon finished, according to The Guardian.
The HMS St Albans has a Merlin helicopter on board and is equipped with advanced radar to track the movements of the Russian vessels while maintaining a respectful distance.
The U.K. ship has 190 sailors and is tasked with protecting the security of the U.K., which is an island nation, the Guardian reported.
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