Warship faces ‘hostile’ Russian jets

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson has said a Royal Navy warship faced “brazen hostility” as 17 Russian fighter jets dangerously buzzed it off the coast of Crimea.

Footage of the encounter with HMS Duncan as it led a Nato fleet through the Black Sea in May has been released as a four-part documentary on the Type 45 destroyer is to be aired on Channel 5.

The Russian jets are seen flying so close the aircraft’s electronics could have been scrambled by the Portsmouthbased warship’s radar system, leaving the potential for them to crash. Mr Williamson said: “As Nato flagship, she has faced down brazen Russian hostility in the Black Sea with jets buzzing overhead, been stalked by Russian spy ships and played a vital role protecting Nato allies.”