Story highlights The Russian fleet Includes aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov

Royal Navy ships are shadowing the Russian vessels

London (CNN) A fleet of Russian warships and fighter jets, including the flagship aircraft carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov, has reached the North Sea and is headed for the English Channel, the UK's Ministry of Defense told CNN in a statement.

The flotilla is believed to be on its way to the Mediterranean and eventually, most Western defense analysts believe, to Syria.

CNN has learned that the vessels are on their way through the Channel but have yet to pass Dover, although they are expected to do so sometime this morning local time.

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"It's a show of force and a show of capabilities," Peter Felstead, editor of Jane's Defence Weekly, told CNN.

"In terms of strike missions, they (the Russians) could just as easily have conducted them with the land-based aircraft they already have in Syria."

Took some time out this morning to watch the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov going past Dover. pic.twitter.com/wcEqeIPn9j — Jon Hall (@JonHall_) 21 October 2016

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