British navy to head for Black Sea as war tensions rise between Ukraine and Russia

Ceasefire violations and Russia’s growing military build-up on Ukraine’s borders are causing tensions, and now British warships are moving to show solidarity with NATO allies

The Royal Navy will deploy warships to the Black Sea next month amid mounting tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

The mission is believed to be aimed at showing solidarity with Ukraine and British NATO allies, reported the Sunday time.

Tensions are mounting over the conflict in eastern Ukraine with growing ceasefire violations and a strengthening of the Russian military near its border.

Western and Ukrainian leaders have expressed concern about the concentration of Russian troops and urged Moscow to withdraw them.

It has now been reported that a Type 45 destroyer, armed with anti-aircraft missiles and a Type 23 anti-submarine frigate, will leave the Royal Navy task group in the Mediterranean and cross the Bosporus to the Black Sea in May.

RAF F-35B Lightning stealth jets and Merlin submarine fighter helicopters will stand ready on Task Group flagship aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to support warships in the Black Sea.

A spokesperson for the ministry told the newspaper that the British government is working closely with Ukraine to monitor the situation and continues to call on Russia to defuse itself.

Last month, the Royal Navy announced it would deploy a “spy ship” to stop Russian submarines from sabotaging the UK internet.

Due to enter service by 2024, the multi-role ocean surveillance vessel will help protect critical national infrastructure such as submarine cables that carry billions of dollars in financial transfers every day and transmit 97% of global communications.