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
- Admiral Kuznetsov is surrounded by a Russian fleet including the Pyotr Veliky cruiser in the Channel today
- But it is being 'man marked' throughout by the Royal Navy Frigate HMS St Albans and RAF Typhoons
- The Russian fleet deployed to the Mediterranean for a bombing campaign in support of President Assad
Vladimir Putin's huge aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov skulked past the white cliffs of Dover today closely escorted by the Royal Navy as it sailed home to Russia after its bombing campaign in Syria.
A squadron of RAF Typhoon warplanes were deployed to monitor the ageing Soviet-era vessel from the air as it passed menacingly close to Britain accompanied by the nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Veliky and support ships.
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 continuously escorted as it skirts around the UK and into the North Sea before heading back to Russia.
The vast warship last came close to Britain in October 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.
The Admiral Kuznetsov (pictured left today) cruised through the English Channel at lunchtime today returning from its bombing campaign in Syria. It was flanked by nuclear-powered cruiser The Pyotr Veliky (pictured centre) and closely watched by the Royal Navy Frigate HMS St Albans (right) and RAF Typhoon jets (pictured above the St Albans)
Four RAF Typhoons, (one of which is pictured foreground) are patrolling the skies over the English Channel today as the Russian fleet passes England's south coast
The Ministry of Defence released the sensation images today after capturing the images from on board the Typhoon jets and a Navy helicopter during the policing operation
He 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.'
HMS St Albans, equipped with a Merlin helicopter and one of the most capable frigates in the world, is 'closely monitoring' the ship, the Ministry of Defence confirmed today.
Four RAF Typhoon jets were also deployed to keep watch on the ship.
The Kuznetsov was dispatched last year to aid the regime's final push on the besieged city of Aleppo.
It passed through the English Channel in the autumn in what was seen as a provocative manoeuvre after widespread condemnation that Russia's military was indiscriminately targeting civilians.
Air strikes from the Admiral Kuznetsov on rebel targets in northern Syrian marked the first time the carrier had been used in combat.
This was despite having been in the Soviet Union's navy since the 1980s.
The British military kept a close eye on the Russian fleet (pictured right today) after the 55,000 ton Admiral Kuznetsov completed its mission in the Middle East
The Russian fleet arrived in Britain's 'area of interest' overnight and UK assets will monitor the ships until they clear British territory. Norway is likely to take over monitoring duties as the fleet heads north and home to Russia
HMS Albans (foreground) escorted the Russian warships Petr Velikiy (centre) and the Admiral Kuznetsov (background) past the white cliffs of Dover today
During its short deployment an Su-33 and an MiG-29 fighter jet were lost, both of which crashed while trying to land after sorties due to problems with the carrier's landing system.
Its passing came after Sir Michael flew into the Ukraine over the weekend to reassure the nervous ally as it fights Russian aggression.
On the eve of Mr Trump's inauguration, the Defence Secretary said the UK was sending a 'clear message' that its support for the country would not falter.
Then yesterday he said Britain was working hard to promote trade links with friendly nations like the Ukraine.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (file picture aboard a Royal Navy Trident submarine last year) branded the Kuznetsov the 'ship of shame' for its operations over Syria
His comments followed No10 panic after Donald Trump proposed dropping economic sanctions against Vladimir Putin in return for nuclear arms cuts.
Last August foreign secretary Boris Johnson said Britain must 'normalise' its relationship with Russia after years of hostility.
They had hit rock bottom after an inquiry found Putin 'probably' approved the assassination of the Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko.
But then relations between the two countries plummeted even further when Russia stepped up its fight in Syria and joined forces with President Assad to bomb Aleppo.
Last month Russia's top UK diplomat accused Britain of 'overt hostility' and of working with Nato to prepare for a 'major war' in Europe.
The Admiral Kutnetsov was last seen off Britain in October (pictured right) when it was monitored by the Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Duncan (pictured)
The fearsome Admiral Kuznetsov (pictured off Norway in October last year) is rarely deployed by Russia but is equipped with missiles, anti-aircraft guns and torpedoes as well as a squadron of fighter jets
A show of brute force: Russian Marines smash BRICKS over a comrade's stomach and hit each other with burning wood during 'skills' display in Manila as Philippines bolsters ties with Moscow
- Russian Marines showed off their skills to the Filipino public in Manila's central park as part of a 'goodwill visit'
- They had cinder blocks crushed on their stomachs and endured beatings from flaming planks in the display
- The Russian Navy announced earlier this week that it was planning to hold war games with the Philippines
Russian Marines shattered glass bottles with their heads and smashed burning wooden planks against each other as part of an eye-catching charm offensive in the Philippines.
The camouflage-clad Marines showed off their pistol-shooting, knife-fighting and martial arts skills to the Filipino public in Manila's central park as part of a 'goodwill visit'.
As bewildered passers-by watched, the Russians smashed boards with their fists, had cinder blocks crushed on their stomachs and endured beatings from flaming planks.
The show culminated with them smashing glass bottles on their heads without any visible effect.
Brute strength: Russian Marines smashed bricks over their comrades' stomachs as part of an eye-catching charm offensive in the Philippines
Tough nut to crack: The show culminated with them smashing glass bottles on their heads without any visible effect
Feeling the burn: As bewildered passers-by watched, the Russians smashed boards with their fists, had cinder blocks crushed on their stomachs and endured beatings from flaming planks After the display, eager Filipinos rushed to take 'selfies' with the beret-wearing Russians. 'The performances were great, the stunts were quite impressive,' gushed student Antonio Chua.
The visit was spearheaded by two warships following Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's announced pivot away from the United States.
The camouflage-clad Marines also smashed boards with their fists and feet during the display in the Philippines capital
Russian marines attached to the anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs show their skills during a demonstration at a park in Manila
The visit was spearheaded by two warships following Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's announced pivot away from the United States
Filipinos were also allowed to attend an open house on the submarine-hunter Admiral Tributs, one of the two ships making what was only the Russian Navy's third-ever port call in the Philippines
Filipinos were also allowed to attend an open house on the submarine-hunter Admiral Tributs, one of the two ships making what was only the Russian Navy's third-ever port call in the Philippines.
Duterte, who calls himself a socialist, has championed a move away from the United States and towards US rivals Russia and China following American criticism of his bloody war on crime that has claimed thousands of lives.
'America has lost,' Duterte said on a visit to China in October last year.
Duterte, who calls himself a socialist, has championed a move away from the United States and towards US rivals Russia and China following American criticism of his bloody war on crime that has claimed thousands of lives
The Russian Navy said earlier this week it was planning to hold war games with the Philippines, as two of its ships made a rare stop in Manila following Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte's pivot from the United States
A Marine uses his fists to lash out at a glass container full of water in another show of strength during the bizarre display
Russian Marines show their individual combat skills during a public capability demonstration at the Luneta National Park in Metro Manila
Through the pain barrier: A Marine shows off his fighting skills as crowds watch on in a park in the Philippines today
Filipino children pose for pictures with some of the Russian soldiers who took part in the display in Manila
Russia's ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said Thursday he expected a planned visit by Duterte to Russia in April or May to be 'a milestone'
'I've realigned myself in your (Chinese) ideological flow and maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to (President Vladimir) Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world: China, Philippines and Russia. It's the only way.'
Russia's ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said Thursday he expected a planned visit by Duterte to Russia in April or May to be 'a milestone'.
'It will be a very successful visit that will give a powerful impetus (to our) cooperation in different fields,' Khovaev told reporters at the Marines' display.
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