UK sends warships to watch Russian ship in English Channel

FILE - In this 2004 file photo, Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov is seen in the Barents Sea. British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, that the U.K. military will monitor Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and its task group as the vessels sail through the North Sea and the English Channel. (AP Photo, File) (The Associated Press)

This is a handout photo issued by Britain's Ministry of Defence and taken on Tuesday Oct 18, 2016 of a Royal Navy lookout onboard HMS Richmond, observing Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, rear second right, and Russian Battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy on the right, which are part of a Russian task group during its transit through the North Sea. Britain is sending warships to watch a Russian aircraft carrier group and other vessels as they sail through the North Sea and the English Channel. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon says that the military will watch the “every step of the way.’’ (PO(Phot) Dez Wade/MoD/Crown Copyright via AP) (The Associated Press)

This is a handout photo issued by Britain's Ministry of Defence taken on Wednesday Oct. 19, 2016, of HMS Richmond, foreground, a Type 23 Duke Class frigate, observing aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, at rear left, which is part of a Russian task group, during transit through the North Sea. Britain is sending warships to watch a Russian aircraft carrier group and other vessels as they sail through the North Sea and the English Channel. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon says that the military will watch the “every step of the way.’’ (PO(Phot) Dez Wade/MoD/Crown Copyright via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain is sending warships to watch a Russian aircraft carrier group and other vessels as they sail through the North Sea and the English Channel.

Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said Thursday that the military will watch the vessels "every step of the way."

The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and its task group are heading south from the Norwegian Sea toward the North Sea. The Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan sailed from Portsmouth to monitor the group.

The Royal Navy regularly shadows ships, and is being supported in this instance by the Royal Air Force.

Meanwhile, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon is due to sail to meet two Russian corvettes traveling toward Britain from the direction of Portugal.