UK warships to sail for Black Sea in May as Ukraine-Russia tensions rise
British warships will sail for the Black Sea in May amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia_ the Sunday Times newspaper reported_ citing senior naval sources.
The deployment is aimed at showing solidarity with Ukraine and Britain's NATO allies_ the newspaper reported.
One Type 45 destroyer armed with anti-aircraft missiles and an anti-submarine Type 23 frigate will leave the Royal Navy's carrier task group in the Mediterranean and head through the Bosphorus into the Black Sea_ according to the report.
RAF F-35B Lightning stealth jets and Merlin submarine-hunting helicopters will stand ready on the task group's flag ship_ the carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth_ to support the warships in the Black Sea_ the report added.
Tensions between Moscow and Kyiv have been rising amid a build-up of Russian troops along the border and clashes in eastern Ukraine between the army and pro-Russian separatists.
Officials at the UK Ministry of Defence spokesman told the newspaper that the UK government was working closely with Ukraine to monitor the situation and continued to call on Russia to de-escalate.
"The UK and our international allies are unwavering in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity"_ the newspaper quoted the spokesman as saying.
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