Putin’s aircraft carrier fleet passes the White Cliffs of Dover… and are watched VERY closely by RAF Typhoons
A RUSSIAN fleet skulking past Dover's White Cliffs is being closely watched by RAF Typoon jets as Putin's fearsome navy force returns from a Syrian bombing campaign.
The heavily-armoured fleet includes the huge 55,000-tonne aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, slammed as a "ship of shame" for its involvement in the Syrian conflict.
Britain's forces issued a stern warning they would be keeping a close eye on it as it passed through the English Channel.
The Russian aircraft carrier, which is equipped with missiles, anti-aircraft guns and torpedoes, was man-marked by British forces as it passed England's south coast today.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: "We will keep a close eye on the Admiral Kuznetsov as it skulks back to Russia; a ship of shame whose mission has only extended the suffering of the Syrian people,"
"We are man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the UK as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe."
In dramatic photographs shared by the Ministry of Defence, the fearsome Russian vessels were seen steaming through the English Channel at lunchtime on Wednesday.
The Admiral Kuznetsoz, flanked by the nuclear-powered cruiser The Pytor Veliky, was closely watched by Typhoon jets from above.
The HMS St Albans, which is one of the most capable frigates in the world, was also called in to monitor the fleet.
But it wasn't a cheap exercise, with the Ministry of Defence estimating the cost of monitoring a Russian aircraft carrier through the English Channel at £1.4million.
The MoD said in a Freedom of Information Act response there was no special extra costs to monitor the ship and the cost estimate had been calculated based on fuel used and the manpower required for the operation.
The cost estimate is for the outward journey towards Syria and any costs associated with its return passage through British waters would be extra.
The last time that the Russian fleet came close to Britain was in October last year, with the crew accused of "indiscriminate" bombing of Syria.
Our boys have previously had the eight-strong flotilla of Vladimir Putin well within their sights - standing strong despite Russian media's jibes at the 'tiny' British fleet.
The giant Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier has previously been operating its Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets near the Orkney Islands.
Russian broadcasters had previously brazenly predicted iron man Putin is ready to "seize control" of the Mediterranean Sea.
Britain has been without an aircraft carrier since HMS Illustrious was scrapped in 2014 but will be commissioning the £3.1bn HMS Queen Elizabeth in May 2017. The hi-tech carrier is 280m long and weighs over 70,000 tonnes, eclipsing the 43,000 tonne Kuznetsov.
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The sabre-rattling move is Putin's latest show of strength as he continues to prop up Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad against American wishes.
And insiders in Moscow's military circles say it marks a first step towards Russia asserting its dominance in the Mediterranean.
Defence expert for Russian news agency RIA, Alexander Khrolenko, said: "While the North Atlantic bloc is stalling in the sands of the Middle East, the Russian Navy seizes control over the Atlantic, not to mention the Mediterranean and Black Seas."
The fearsome Northern Fleet is led by nuclear aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and battle cruiser Peter the Great.
The show of strength is the latest act of defiance from Moscow in the face of Western pressure over its bombing campaign in Syria.
Earlier this month Russia bombers went on a run around Western Europe, forcing the air forces of four Nato members to scramble their fighter jets.
President Vladimir Putin has been supporting embattled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad with air strikes.
The bombing of an aid convoy last month saw a fragile ceasefire disintegrate and put even greater strain on relations between the US and Moscow.
Neighbour Turkey warned yesterday that Syria could become a proxy war for the two superpowers as they pile weapons and advisers into the Middle East.
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