Russia's huge aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is passing through the English Channel on its way back from its bombing campaign in Syria (main image). A Royal Navy ship and RAF Typhoon warplanes (main image right) were deployed to monitor the ageing Soviet-era vessel as it sails menacingly close to Britain. The flagship – branded the 'ship of shame' - entered the UK area of interest last night and is due to pass the White Cliffs of Dover at around lunchtime today. Equipped with missiles, anti-aircraft guns and torpedoes, the 55,000-ton carrier will be escorted as it skirts around the UK and into the North Sea before heading back to Russia. It was accompanied by a cruiser and a salvage tug used to rescue ships. The vast warship last passed close to Britain in October (pictured inset) on its way to its deadly mission. It crew was accused of an 'indiscriminate' bombing campaign in support of Syrian Bashar Assad. Two Russian planes crashed while attempting to land on the ship after returning from sorties. ...read
Royal Navy warships and RAF jets follow Russian aircraft carrier past the white cliffs of Dover once again as the vessel returns from a brutal bombing campaign in Syria
26/01/17 08:39
