Washington, July 9 -- Warships and helicopters of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy have shadowed five Russian vessels allegedly passing UK waters earlier this month, the Navy said in a statement.
"Plymouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke, Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Tyne and Wildcat aircraft from 815 Naval Air Squadron were dispatched on three separate operations in the North Sea and English Channel between 1 and 8 July," the Tuesday statement said.
The Navy specified that UK ships took part in an exercise dubbed Sea Breeze in Portland.
"The Royal Navy group worked closely with NATO allies as they kept constant watch on the Russian activity - which saw two Steregushchiy-class corvettes, a tanker, bulk carrier and a Smolnyy-class training...