Some Russian media outlets have reported that a squadron of Russian Warships are in the English Channel conducting military exercises, but NATO officials say that this report is false and although they are transiting the channel, they are not conducting and drills, but instead are waiting for foul weather to pass before leaving the area.
The French Navy stated that the Russian warships are anchored in Seine Bay awaiting the abatement of a storm moving through the area. NATO Spokesman Jay Janzen echoed France’s statement saying, “Our information indicates that the ships are transiting and have been delayed by weather conditions.”
“While it is anchored the crew are undertaking a series of exercises on how to tackle infiltrating submarine forces and are training on survival techniques in the case of flooding or fire,” the fleet said in a statement, according to the Russian state-run news agency, RIA Novosti.
The squadron left the Russian port of Severomorsk on November 20th, crossing the Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea and the North Sea before entering the English Channel. It is presumed that the squadron is traveling to the Mediterranean to relieve vessels there.
The Russian fleet frequently transits the English Channel when moving ships into the Mediterranean. Even so, the squadron was escorted out of U.K.’s waters by the warship HMS Tyne. Britain’s Fleet Response Escort was also on standby.
