Vladimir Putin’s nuclear warships pictured steaming towards the English Channel as Royal Navy prepares to scramble fleet
A FLEET of Russian nuclear ships have been spotted steaming out of base - and they are heading for Britain.
Vladimir Putin's policy of gunboat diplomacy continued as a giant aircraft carrier and nuclear submarine were among eight vessels snapped sailing south past Norway yesterday.
The fearsome fleet is headed for Russia's Mediterranean base in Tartus, Syria.
But first, the ships are set to pass through the English Channel in the latest act of sabre-rattling from Moscow.
Royal Navy warships are being readied to intercept the fleet which could pass within miles of the British coast.
Moscow's media poured scorn on the British fleet in response to the threat today.
Defence expert for Russian news agency RIA Alexander Khrolenko derided "what little remains of the Royal Navy".
Russia's flagship aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was amongst the ships to depart from the Arctic port of Severomorsk on Saturday.
The 55,000-tonne colossus is travelling with the Pyotr Veliky battlecruiser, the Vice-Admiral Kulakov destroyer and large anti-submarine ships.
The convoy was caught on camera by Norwegian spy planes on Monday.
“They might even stop off the North East coast to fly for a bit.”
The show of strength is the latest act of defiance from Moscow in the face of Western pressure over its bombing campaign in Syria.
Earlier this month Russia bombers went on a run around Western Europe, forcing the air forces of four Nato members to scramble their fighter jets.
President Vladimir Putin has been supporting embattled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad with air strikes.
The bombing of an aid convoy last month saw a fragile ceasefire disintegrate and put even greater strain on relations between the US and Moscow.
Neighbour Turkey warned yesterday that Syria could become a proxy war for the two superpowers as they pile weapons and advisers into the Middle East.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368