14.12.2011
Text:
Photo: Aircraft carrier
Admiral Kuznetsov. Western Military District Press Service
Royal Navy dispatched destroyer HMS
York purposely to watch on Russian warships anchored off Scotland waiting out severe gale underway to the Mediterranean; HMS
York was sent from naval base Portsmouth located 1,000 miles away from the anchorage site.
According to
Daily Mail, Russian ships gave no notice about plans of getting so close to the coast. In the past, British defense ministry used to send patrol airplanes
Nimrod from air station Kinloss in Moray to trace movements of Russian warships. However, since the airbase was shut down due to financial problems and procurement of new airplanes was stopped, Royal Navy had nothing to do but to dispatch the destroyer.
Scottish National Party accused Russian warships of throwing liquid and solid waste overboard at the anchorage. According to the party's MP Angus Robertson, "Russian vessels are very welcome to shelter off the Scottish coast, but it is more than bad manners to dispose of waste by simply throwing it overboard". Robertson is about to strive for investigation and has already initiated a number of parliamentary requests to the UK Government.
Recall that the Russian Navy carrier group consisting of Northern and Baltic fleets' warships and supply vessels is on the 2-month long cruise with the view to hold naval exercise with Black Sea Fleet ships in the Mediterranean.
