Russian sub tracked by Navy in North Sea

A Russian submarine has been tracked by a Royal Navy warship as it travelled in the North Sea and through the English Channel.

Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Mersey has been tasked with keeping watch on the surfaced Kilo-class diesel powered attack submarine RFS Rostov Na Donu during its journey from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.

A navy spokesman said: “Mersey reported on the movements of the

Russian Black Sea Fleet submarine, so that Nato allies could track her progress as she continued her onward journey.”

Commanding officer of HMS Mersey, Lieutenant Commander Will Edwards-Bannon, said: “No Navy patrol is ever the same as the last, and HMS Mersey has conducted a particularly varied range of missions recently, culminating with the tracking of this Russian submarine as it passes the UK.”

ITV have brought forward the Dancing On Ice final.

The move comes after the show lost a number of contestants who had to withdraw due to injury or Covid.

Emmerdale star JoeWarren Plant and comedian Rufus Hound both had to withdraw with Covid, while reality TV star Billie Shepherd, singer and actress Denise Van Outen and Jason Donovan all got injured.

ITV said in a statement: “ITV have taken the decision to move the final of Dancing On Ice forward by one week.

“The competition’s final will now take place on Sunday March 14.

“Our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during challenging times. Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is our top priority and we look forward to the rest of the series, on air from Sunday.”

The contest has been on a week-long break. Dancing On Ice returns tomorrow at 6pm.