A Royal Navy ship has been sent to shadow a Russian ship passing through the English Channel.
The Portsmouth-based HMS Forth patrol ship had just returned to UK waters from her first foreign port visit, when it was scrambled to monitor the Russian patrol ship Vasily Bykov.
A Navy spokesman said: "Forth had departed Gibraltar on July 31, before heading north at speed and conducting heavy weather trials before a quick logistics stop in Devonport.
"She then sailed and positioned herself ready to meet the Vasily Bykov as the vessel sailed from the North Sea having taken part in Russia's Navy Days celebration in St Petersburg."
HMS Forth's executive officer Lieutenant Samuel Fields said: "It has been a particularly busy time for HMS Forth as we generate for deployed operations and continue to test our ship's capabilities.
"I am proud of the ship's company for rising to this additional challenge."
The Vasily Bykov was previously shadowed by HMS Forth through the UK's area of interest last month.
While Frigate HMS Westminster was also deployed during the weekend to shadow the Chinese warship Xian up the English Channel.
Additional reporting by PA.
