The large anti-submarine ship "Admiral Levchenko" of Project 1155 and the frigate "Neustrashimy" of Project 11540 escorted Russian merchant vessels "General Skobelev" and Sparta through the North Sea and the English Channel. This was reported by the press service of the British Royal Navy.

Initially, the escort was provided by the "Admiral Levchenko". Later, the "Neustrashimy" joined the Russian group. The ships and merchant vessels were monitored by the destroyer HMS Duncan, the frigate HMS St Albans, and the patrol vessel HMS Severn. In addition, a Merlin helicopter was involved in the operation.

British forces escorted the Russian group to the area of the French island of Ushant, after which surveillance was handed over to NATO allies.

The "Admiral Levchenko" is armed with the Rastrub-B anti-submarine missile system, two Kinzhal air defense missile systems, 100-mm AK-100 artillery mounts, and 30-mm AK-630 automatic cannons.

The arsenal of the "Neustrashimy" also includes the Kinzhal air defense missile system, 100-mm AK-100, close-range air defense systems, RBU-6000, and 533-mm torpedo tubes.

In the middle of last week, the Russian frigate "Admiral Kasatonov" of Project 22350 was spotted off the coast of the German island of Fehmarn in the Baltic Sea.

On August 12, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia would respond symmetrically to attempts to seize its ships, and not necessarily in the same waters.