The Russian ships left the Baltic Sea region yesterday, preceded by another three the day before, news outlet The Drive reported. There has been speculation that the ships may be travelling to the Black Sea in order to participate in an invasion of Ukraine. But the Russian military recently announced that they are planning to stage a military exercise 240km to the South West of Ireland between 3 and 8 February.
The vessels have so far been escorted by EU and UK vessels, Netherlands news website Marineschepen reported.
Three of the Russian vessels were escorted through international waters by a helicopter and a vessel from the Royal Netherlands Navy, while en route to the Channel.
Supervision was then taken over by Belgian and British forces.
The British Royal Navy reportedly sent Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon to carry out the supervision.
At least one French ship is also understood to have been dispatched to monitor the Russian vessels.
According to Dutch journalist Hans de Vreij, one of the Russian ships moving through the channel is currently blocked by a ship that is part of a NATO Maritime group, which is stationed in its path.
The developments come in the wake of a major increase in activity from the Russian military.
As well as the build-up of 100,000 Russian troops on the country’s border with Ukraine, sparking fears of an invasion, late in January the Russian Ministry of Defence also announced a new wave of naval exercises would be taking place.
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The first major naval manoeuvres were made in mid-January when Russian landing ships began their journeys towards the Mediterranean.
Six Russian ships, most of which were shadowed by NATO vessels throughout their journey, have passed east through the Strait of Gibraltar and are likely to conduct exercises in the Mediterranean.
There have been growing fears of an invasion of Ukraine since the military build-up near the border, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning of “gloomy” intelligence suggesting that Russia was planning a raid on Kiev.
NATO has so far stationed roughly 4,000 troops in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
The forces are supported by tanks, air defences and intelligence and surveillance units.
Moscow has demanded that NATO promise it will not allow Ukraine to join the defensive alliance but NATO are yet to agree to the demands.
A total of 8,500 US troops have also been put on heightened alert for possible deployment to eastern Europe, the Pentagon has said.
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