British warships have been shadowing Russian vessels sailing close to the Kent coast.

Teams from the Royal Navy tracked the task force through the English Channel today.

At the same time, a British patrol ship watched a Russian military research vessel as it travelled through the Dover shipping lanes.

The foreign group was travelling from the eastern Mediterranean, having supported the invasion of Ukraine over the last seven months.

Commander Ed Moss-Ward, a senior officer on of the British vessels, said: “Maritime security in the sea around the UK is crucial to our prosperity and resilience.

“The Royal Navy routinely responds to escort warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas to ensure compliance with maritime law, to deter malign activity and to protect our national interests.

“Escorting the Russian task group has demonstrated that the Royal Navy is committed to maintaining maritime security and to co-operating with our NATO Allies.”

HMS Lancaster shadowed the Russian ships from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Celtic Sea, as part of a NATO task force stationed in the Atlantic.

Afterwards, HMS Westminster was deployed from Portsmouth to intercept the Russian ships in the Celtic Sea, where they paused, before dispersing up to 60 nautical miles.

HMS Richmond was also called upon to keep watch in the English Channel.

Commander Chris L’Amie added: "At short notice, HMS Richmond intercepted the Russian Federation Navy’s surface action group in the English Channel.

"We will closely monitor the task group’s activity while demonstrating the UK’s resolve, and the capability and professionalism of the Royal Navy."

Meanwhile, Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Mersey shadowed Russian military research vessel Akademik Ioffe on its journey south through the Dover shipping lanes and into the Channel.

Last year, Royal Navy patrol ships watched seven Russian warships as they passed through the English Channel.

Portsmouth-based ships HMS Tyne, Severn and Mersey have been monitoring the Russian Federation navy vessels as they sailed closed to the UK.

They also tracked a surfaced Algerian submarine as it travelled back to its north African home.