Navy chiefs were forced to deploy a minehunter to intercept two submarines and a Russian support ship sailing close to Britain because the fleet was so overstretched. The department would normally publish details of Royal Navy ships escorting the Russians near the UK. The Russian submarines and support ship were first watched by Nato units as they passed through the North Sea in August. A Royal Navy Spokesperson said: ‘HMS Cattistock was the most appropriate vessel for this particular task at that time. ‘There is always one Royal Navy ship that is designated as the Fleet Ready Escort (FRE), although there are always a number of Royal Navy units available in UK waters that could conduct this role depending on the tasking.’

Source: Daily Mail January 31, 2018 00:33 UTC