Royal Navy tracks Russian subs armed with CRUISE MISSILES as they sneak through North Atlantic to meet up with aircraft carrier Putin sent through the Channel
Dictator's nuclear-powered submarines join battle group in Med heading to Syria
THREE submarines armed with cruise missiles have joined a Russian naval task force heading towards Syria, raising fears that President Vladimir Putin is set to order a final devastating attack on Aleppo.
The Times reports the Royal Navy has been tracking two nuclear-powered Akula-class boats and a diesel-powered Kilo-class sub.
They entered the North Atlantic from ports around Murmansk last week and have joined forces with the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, which sailed down the North Sea and through the English Channel last week.
Naval sources say the Kuznetsov and its battle group is in a “holding pattern” off the north African coast.
A senior naval source said: “The Russians now have submarines in the Med.”.
Nato military chiefs fear they are armed with Kalibr missiles — Moscow’s answer to the Tomahawk cruise missile with a range of 1,000 miles — and could be positioned to launch a strike on targets throughout Syria.
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The battle group also includes a battlecruiser and several destroyers and supply vessels.
A senior government official said: “What has happened has been a ratcheting up of aggression from Russia. We are mindful that Putin is flexing his muscles in front of our face. It’s a case of, ‘Look how far I can push without you responding’.”