Dramatic pictures show Russian naval officers brandishing machine guns in the English Channel as they transport a sanctioned a cargo ship through British waters. Pictures taken by The Times show armed personel onboard the Russian Boikiy as it escorted cargo ship Baltic Leader on a journey from Syria to Russia.

A Royal Navy helicopter, patrol planes and HMS Somerset tracked Russian ships bristling with guns sailing through the English Channel and North Sea. The UK carried out a three-day operation monitoring the Russian task group in UK waters.

HMS Somerset kept watch over the Russian corvette Boikiy for three days as it escorted merchant vessel Baltic Leader on its voyage from Syria.

The Russian warship had been escorting a cargo ship on its voyage from Syria through the English Channel and North Sea.

A Royal Navy warship has shadowed a Russian task group sailing through the English Channel and the North Sea. HMS Somerset kept watch over the Russian corvette Boikiy for three da