Vladimir Putin has sent a threat to Britain by sending a Russian warship to the Channel just hours after Sir Keir Starmer promised to "thwart Russia's war of aggression".
Russia's most modern frigate conducted provocative war games in the English Channel, staging military exercises while armed with hypersonic Tsirkon missiles, which can travel up to several times the speed of sound.
The Admiral Golovko, part of Russia's Northern Fleet, performed the drills as the Prime Minister met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to pledge continued support for Ukraine.
The warship's presence in the busy shipping lane comes just 11 days after departing its Arctic base in Severomorsk, having travelled through the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas.
The warship's presence in the busy shipping lane comes just 11 days after departing its Arctic base in Severomorsk, having travelled through the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas (Stock image)
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Russian defence ministry TV channel Zvezda confirmed the exercises, which included anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defence operations using Ka-27 helicopters.
The 443ft-long frigate is one of 10 planned vessels in Russia's Project 22350 series, with Admiral Golovko joining the fleet in December.
The ship's Tsirkon missiles can travel approximately 900km at hypersonic speeds, making them nearly impossible to intercept with conventional air defence systems.
The 5,400-ton warship carries an impressive arsenal beyond its hypersonic capabilities, including a 130mm A-192 artillery system and a Redut air-defence missile system.
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It is also equipped with launchers for 16 Oniks or Kalibr-NK anti-ship missiles and a Paket-NK anti-submarine system.
Russian state news agency TASS stated the deployment's main objectives were to "demonstrate the Russian flag and ensure Russia's naval presence in operationally important areas of the World Ocean".
The Russian warship conducted extensive drills in the Channel's narrowest section, demonstrating its military capabilities between England and France.
"The combat crews of the frigate's main command centre trained to disperse dangerous targets in the difficult conditions of intensive shipping in the strait," Russia's defence ministry said.
The exercises included "anti-terrorist drills" involving defence against aerial and marine drones from a simulated enemy force.
The timing of the Russian naval display coincided with Sir Keir Starmer's historic visit to Paris as he became the first UK PM since 1944 to attend Armistice Day commemorations in France
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After completing the Channel exercises, Admiral Golovko was moved into Atlantic waters where it continues its mission.
The vessel had already covered 1,500 nautical miles during this maiden long-distance deployment, having conducted similar exercises in the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas.
The timing of the Russian naval display coincided with Starmer's historic visit to Paris, where he became the first UK premier since Winston Churchill in 1944 to attend Armistice Day commemorations in France.
Starmer and Macron met beneath the Arc de Triomphe, laying wreaths to commemorate the sacrifices made by French soldiers during World War One.
