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The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate were last week scrambled to head-off the two Russian corvettes – Boikiy and Stoikiy – as they headed towards the English Channel.

As the Russian ships sailed southwards, they "dramatically cut their speed and slowly proceeded towards the north Norfolk coast" while the HMS Montrose watched on, the UK Ministry of Defence said.

“Royal Navy warships are always prepared to respond to tasking at short notice, so when the call came, Montrose was ready for action," said commanding officer of the Montrose Conor O'Neill said.

"The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, with the support of our NATO allies, constantly monitor the seas and skies around the UK, and our operations are part of that 24/7 watch to ensure the UK stays safe and secure.”

The interception is the latest example of provocative behaviour by the Russian military off the coast of Britain.

Last month, the Royal Navy mobilised destroyer HMS Diamond and a Wildcat helicopter to monitor a Russian spy ship off the coast of Britain.

(Image: ROYAL NAVY)

(Image: ROYAL NAVY)

With the HMS Montrose in tow, the Russian ships entered the North Sea after leaving their base in the Baltic Sea at the end of last week.

RAF planes were also deployed to keep an eye on the Steregushchiy-class corvettes as they sailed close to the coastlines of Britain.

Montrose, the eighth of the Royal Navy’s 18 frigates, has help from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in tracking the Russian ships.

The frigate was dispatched from Plymouth to “track the two Russian vessels as they manoeuvred” through the North Sea off the Danish and Dutch coasts.

Montrose is one of the frigates equipped with he UK's new state-of-art air defence system, Sea Ceptor.

The world-class missile system, codenamed Sea Ceptor, has officially entered service with the Royal Navy in a move intended to boost Britain’s sea defences across the world.Sea Ceptor can launch missiles at a staggering mach 3 or 2,301mph – three times the speed of sound (767mph).

The £850million system will be able to protect Royal Navy warships from airborne threats, including hostile combat jets, helicopters and other missiles, the UK Ministry of Defence said.

The roll out of the Sea Ceptor comes as the Royal Navy is increasingly relied upon to defend British waters from Russian ships.

In January Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster was called to intercept four Russian vehicles lurking in British waters.

While in March a Russian warship was spotted in the English Channel just days after a diplomatic row erupted over the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

(Image: ROYAL NAVY)

And in April a Russian frigate was intercepted by Royal Navy vessel HMS St Albans.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "We will not hesitate in defending our waters or tolerate any form of aggression.

"Britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people, and our national interests."