The Royal Navy has released dramatic images showing its ships tracking Russian vessels through UK waters this week.
British forces have been on high alert as multiple Russian ships and aircraft approached UK territory.
HMS Iron Duke and HMS Tyne led the operation, shadowing four Russian vessels through the English Channel and North Sea.
Meanwhile, RAF jets sprang into action on Wednesday, intercepting a Russian strategic bomber. Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth, backed by a Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, were scrambled to meet the Russian Bear-F aircraft.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This government is committed to making the UK secure at home and strong abroad.
“Efforts by the Royal Navy and RAF over the last two weeks demonstrate their selfless commitment to protecting our national security.”
“I’d like to thank those members of our armed forces who took part in this operation, their professionalism and skill was on full display while working seamlessly with our NATO allies to uphold international standards.”
In the past week Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke monitored the progress of Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk and a supporting tug as it passed through the Dover Strait before a similar operation to shadow the corvette Stoiky and a tanker.
Patrol ship HMS Tyne was also involved in the operation to monitor the Stoiky.
The RAF and Royal Navy are frequently called on to monitor Russian planes and vessels as they travel near the UK, but the activity comes at a time of heightened tension as a result of the war in Ukraine.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Washington for talks with Joe Biden on allowing Ukraine to fire missiles supplied by the West deep into Russia.
The UK and US have faced calls from Ukraine to give permission to allow long-range weapons supplied to Kyiv to be used to strike targets such as airbases within Russia.
Sir Keir backed Ukraine’s right to defend itself after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin suggested his country would be “at war” with Nato if the west allows long-range weapons to be used against it.
The Prime Minister went on to say the UK does not “seek any conflict with Russia”, before adding: “That’s not our intention in the slightest.”
On Thursday, Mr Putin said allowing long-range strikes “would mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are at war with Russia…if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us”.
The Foreign Office issued a statement after the Russian authorities revoked the accreditation of the six diplomats following espionage claims by the FSB security service.
