The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Theresa May condemns Russian aggression
PM accuses Moscow of being behind ‘sickening atrocities’
Nuclear-powered GM cruiser Peter the Great Theresa May has condemned Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Syria as Royal Navy vessels monitored Russian warships thought to be heading to reinforce the attack on the besieged city Aleppo.
The Prime Minister accused Moscow of being behind “sickening atrocities” in support of Bashar Assad’s regime.
Her comments came as a Russian taskforce, including the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, was being shadowed by the Royal Navy as it headed towards the eastern Mediterranean.
Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan sailed from Portsmouth on Tuesday to “man-mark” the Kuznetsov group, which is heading south through the North Sea and English Channel.
The Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond escorted the group from the Norwegian Sea as it steamed south.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “When these ships near our waters we will man-mark them every step of the way. We will be watching as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe.”
Syrian forces, backed by Russian air power, have agreed a temporary humanitarian truce in Aleppo but Mrs May urged European leaders to take a firm line against Moscow.
Arriving at her first Brussels summit as PM, Mrs May called for a “robust and united European stance in the face of Russian aggression”. Russian Navy’s Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier
She said: “It is vital that we work together to continue to put pressure on Russia to stop these appalling atrocities, these sickening atrocities, in Syria.”
Nato said the prospect of Russia’s only aircraft carrier heading to the region does not “inspire confidence” that Moscow is seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said in September that the Admiral Kuznetsov-led Northern Fleet would be joining a taskforce in the Mediterranean.
Mr Putin has held out the prospect of extending the pause in the Aleppo bombing campaign following a meeting with French president Francois Hollande and German chancellor Angela Merkel. The Russian aircraft carrier fleet is on its way to pass through the English Channel
He said: “We informed them of our intention to continue, as much as possible, considering the situation on Syrian territory, a pause in the air strikes. We are ready to do this for as long as there are no clashes with rebel formations entrenched in Aleppo.”
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said the Russian naval deployment was aimed at “testing” British capabilities.
“The Russian fleet that is now sailing from the North, presumably down into the Mediterranean, is clearly designed to test the alliance. It’s being marked every step of the way by the Royal Navy and ships and planes of other Nato members as well. It’s clearly designed ... to test our response, and any weaknesses in the alliance, and we must make sure we respond in due measure.”