UK Navy Foils Russian Naval Escalation: HMS Severn Intercepts Corvette and Tanker in English Channel

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In a significant escalation of tensions in the region, the UK Royal Navy has intercepted a Russian corvette and tanker while they were sailing through the English Channel. According to the Defense Ministry, the HMS Severn, a UK patrol ship, had been shadowing the Russian vessels for several days before making the intercept. This incident highlights a significant increase in Russian naval activity around UK waters, which has seen a 30% rise over the past two years. The UK has responded by deploying three Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Iceland, as part of a NATO mission to monitor Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic. The intercept comes just days after Defense Secretary John Healey accused Russia of using lasers to target pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities off the coast of Scotland. The UK has described Russia's actions as 'reckless and dangerous' and has vowed to respond to any incursions into its territory. The UK government is also pushing for increased defense spending in light of threats from Russia, China, and Iran, but is facing tough trade-offs as it attempts to close a multi-billion-pound shortfall in its finances. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged big military spending increases, but the government is under pressure to balance this with tax increases and spending cuts.