Key Facts

• The Royal Navy intercepted two Russian ships in the English Channel, known as the RFN Stoikiy, a warship, and Yelnya, a tanker.
• The UK Ministry of Defence said these ships were spotted heading west through the Dover Strait.
• Recently, a Russian spy ship named Yantar was seen off the coast of Scotland, using lasers to disrupt Royal Air Force pilots.
• UK Defence Secretary John Healey warned Russia of the UK's awareness and readiness to respond.
• Healey reported a 30% increase in Russian naval activity near UK waters over the past two years.
• HMS Severn, a UK offshore patrol vessel, initially monitored the Russian ships and later handed over the task to a NATO ally near Brittany.
• The Stoikiy has previously traveled through UK waters, last observed in May with a Royal Navy response.
• HMS Severn is part of a series of patrol vessels that protect UK waters and can escort foreign ships.