British navy tracks Russian warship in North Sea in 'routine activity'

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Royal Navy said on Wednesday it was tracking the movements of a Russian warship armed with missiles sailing in international waters in the North Sea, close to Britain.

“Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy," the British frigate HMS Portland's Commanding Officer, Commander Ed Moss-Ward, said in a statement.

“By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity."

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, writing by Sachin Ravikumar)