A Russian frigate armed with “unstoppable” hypersonic missiles passed Dover today before leaving British waters after being shadowed by the Royal Navy.
Moscow confirmed that the Admiral Gorshkov had passed the narrowest part of the English Channel – the Strait of Dover – and was sailing south towards the Atlantic.
“The frigate will soon resume missions in certain parts of the Atlantic,” Moscow’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The Royal Navy released a statement on Wednesday saying HMS Portland was in pursuit of the Russian warship and accompanying tanker Kama as the pair sailed into the North Sea after the Gorshkov conducted war games in the Norwegian Sea.
The Royal Navy released a statement on Wednesday that HMS Portland (left) was pursuing the Russian warship (centre) and associated tanker Kama (right) as they sailed into the North Sea after the Gorshkov conducted war games in the Norwegian Sea
Moscow confirmed that its frigate Admiral Gorshkov had passed the narrowest part of the English Channel – the Strait of Dover – and was sailing south towards the Atlantic
Vladimir Putin personally attended the farewell ceremony as the warship departed from the Arctic naval base of Severomorsk on a voyage that will also include the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans.
As it departed, the Russian president boasted that the West couldn’t match its “latest generation” hypersonic firepower.
“There is no equivalent in any country in the world,” he said. “I am sure that such a powerful weapon will allow us to reliably protect Russia from potential external threats and help protect our country’s national interests.”
The Gorshkov carries for the first time deadly nuclear-capable Zircon or Tsirkon missiles with a speed of 6,670 miles per hour and a range of 625 miles in a significant challenge to the west, as well as Kalibr missiles. Previously, the guided-missile frigate held war games in the Norwegian Sea to “repel the airstrikes of a simulated enemy.”
As the warship sailed towards Britain, footage released Tuesday showed the ship’s capabilities as it took part in a series of military exercises.
Russia has warned the West about its warship’s capabilities by releasing chilling new footage showing the launch of its “unstoppable” nuclear-capable Zircon missile from a launch in May (pictured).
Pictured: Launch of an “unstoppable” nuclear-capable Zircon hypersonic missile from the Admiral Gorshkov
Following Wednesday’s announcement, the Navy on Monday released images of HMS Portland pursuing Russian ships in the North Sea, meaning the operation has already been underway for several days.
The Norwegian Coast Guard ship Bergen was already in pursuit of the Russian warship as it sailed south through the Norwegian Sea, the navy said.
HMS Portland then joined the ships as they entered the North Sea.
The Navy ship carries a Merlin helicopter, both equipped with “state-of-the-art sonars, sensors and torpedoes for special operations,” the Navy statement said.
In the statement, HMS Portland’s commanding officer, Commander Ed Moss-Ward, said: “Escorting warships in British territorial waters and adjacent sea areas is a routine activity for the Royal Navy.”
The Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Portland monitored the Russian warship and accompanying tanker Kama as they sailed near Britain.
Pictured: The Russian frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov, armed with Zircon hypersonic weapons, leaves the naval base in Severomorsk, January 4, 2023
Pictured: Footage released by Russia shows the warship Admiral Gorshkov, carrying one of the world’s deadliest weapons, “fending off simulated enemy air strikes” in stormy conditions six days after beginning the mission to challenge the West.
Moss-Ward was quoted as saying: “Escorting warships in British territorial waters and adjacent sea areas is a routine activity in the Royal Navy. By maintaining a visible and sustained presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with the Law of the Sea and deters malicious activity to protect our nation’s interests.
“The accompaniment of the Russian Task Group along with forces from our NATO allies has demonstrated Britain’s commitment to the Alliance and to maintaining maritime security.”
The Navy said HMS Portland left her homeport in Plymouth on Saturday 7 January.
Moscow has boasted that the Gorshkov is “the most dangerous enemy of surface ships on the world seas” now that it is armed with the new hypersonic missile.
The frigate’s captain, Igor Krokhmal, previously said: “No one will see the missile launch or its flight. You will only see when the missile hits the target.
“A surface target, a coastal target. I don’t think there will be anything to counter that in the next few years.”
The chilling footage released on Tuesday showed the extent of the capabilities of the warship and its missiles.
Commenting on the launch video from Zvezda TV said: “The purpose of the exercise was to test the operation of the air defense circle, its systems, air and electronic lighting systems, anti-aircraft fire systems, electronic combat systems with tactical camouflage and the air defense circle control systems. ‘
The tasks were “achieved”, said the broadcaster. “The ship is ready to repel air attacks from different heights and directions.”