Vladimir Putin sent a warship armed with hypersonic missiles into the English Channel just days before Remembrance Sunday in what has been called a “direct threat” towards the UK.
Admiral Golovko is reportedly armed with missiles that can travel faster than the speed of sound with a range of around 550 miles, which would make any city from London to Glasgow a potential target.
The brazen Russian Navy carried out the “anti-terror” exercise using the advanced frigate and two other support vessels as well as a navy helicopter just miles from the British coast.
In a provocative display, the Kremlin seems to have timed the operation to run close to Remembrance Sunday events when Britain traditionally honours those who have fallen in war.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge told Express.co.uk the move by Putin’s forces appeared to be a “direct threat” to the UK.
He said: “These reports underline how Russian activity continues to pose a direct threat right on our doorstep, not just in Ukraine.
“That’s why it’s so important for the Government to set out a clear pathway to 2.5% of GDP being spent on Defence – so that we can rearm at pace, and boost our deterrence.
“That’s also why it was so frustrating that in Parliament yesterday when the Speaker granted me an Urgent Question on Defence spending, Secretary of State John Healey was unable to give any kind of timeline on 2.5%.
“Our armed forces deserve better than continued uncertainty.”
Mr Cartlidge, the Conservative MP for South Suffolk, challenged the Defence Secretary in the Commons on Monday, but in reply, Mr Healy did not set out a cast iron timeline for an increase in spending.
As part of his answer in Parliament, Mr Healy said: “The Prime Minister said at NATO that our plan in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will come first, and then we will set out the pathway to spending 2.5%; the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said yesterday that this will come in the spring.”
Mr Healy and Sir Keir Starmer have been under increasing pressure over British support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia, with some reports suggesting Kyiv is not happy with Labour’s commitment to the cause.
The Guardian reported the Ukrainians are furious over the refusal to allow Ukrainian troops to fire British-made Storm Shadow missiles at targets deep inside Russia.
But Mr Healey denied this, declaring “We’ve stepped up with more military support. We’ve speeded up deliveries.”
Mr Healey told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme of the reports over the weekend: “That is simply not correct.
“We’ve stepped up with more military support. We’ve speeded up deliveries. We’re now spending more on military aid for Ukraine than ever before as a UK Government, and I spoke at length to the defence minister in Ukraine yesterday.
Fitted with Zircon hypersonic missiles which have a range of 900 km (560 miles), and can travel at several times the speed of sound, making them hard to target with defence systems.
Launched in May 2020.
Length 443 feet and weight 5,400 tonnes.
Also has a 130mm naval gun and carries a ka-27 helicopter with a landing pad and hangar.
Top speed 29.5 knots.
Capable of 30 days at sea before needing re-supply.