THE ROYAL Navy escorted a Russian tanker and frigate through waters close to the UK as Vladimir Putin’s forces suffer heavy causalities.
HMS Portland’s commanding officer, Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: “The Royal Navy routinely responds to escort warships in our territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas to ensure compliance with maritime law and to deter malign activity.
“Escorting the Russian task group alongside allied partners demonstrates the commitment of the Royal Navy and the NATO alliance to maintaining maritime security which is crucial to our national interests.”
It comes as Vladimir Putin’s failing army has only made “marginal” gains and have “not succeeded in completing a turning movement” in Bakhmut.
In the latest update by the Institute for The Study of War, they claimed: “Russian forces have made marginal territorial gains northeast of Kupyansk as of March 13.”
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