A ROYAL Navy submarine heading towards
Syria has been hunted by up to two deadly
Russian subs and a number of other vessels in the Mediterranean for days as tensions between the countries ratchet up, it has been revealed.
The British crew found themselves involved in a “cat and mouse game” with at least one of the Kremlin Kilo-class subs, dubbed the “Black Hole” because they are so stealthy.
Two frigates and an anti-submarine aircraft were also involved in the hunt, the Sunday Times reported.
The Tomahawk missile-equipped British vessel had been moving to within range of Syria when it found itself under threat.
It then spent days trying to avoid detection by the Russian force.
US Navy forces tried to protect the waters around the underwater ship as it passed beneath the waves, with aircraft bussing overhead to offer cover.
Kilo-class submarines are among the deadliest in Putin’s arsenal.
Powered by two diesel generators and an electric drive they can move silently underwater at speeds of up to 17 knots.
They can be equipped with a range of deadly weapons including cruise and anti-ship missiles.
Following the tension-filled encounter, the British Astute-class submarine did not take part in the attack on Syrian chemical weapons facilities.
Strikes by UK, US and French forces crippled President Bashar al-Assad’s weapons programme overnight yesterday.
The allies launched 105 missiles in retaliation for a poison gas atrocity in Syria that killed at least 70 people.
Three chemical weapons facilities, including a research and development in Damascus' Barzeh district and two facilities near Homs were wiped out in the attack.
Donald Trump called the operation a success in a morning Twitter post and proclaimed: "Mission accomplished."
And the US later said it was “locked and loaded” to attack again should the need arise.
Theresa May, too, has not ruled out fresh action if Assad's barbaric regime continues to attack its own people.
Mrs May insisted the decision to deploy British cruise missiles in response to the chemical attack in Douma was "both right and legal".
Donald Trump called the operation a success in a morning Twitter post and proclaimed: "Mission accomplished."
And the US later said it was “locked and loaded” to attack again should the need arise.
Theresa May, too, has not ruled out fresh action if Assad's barbaric regime continues to attack its own people.
Mrs May insisted the decision to deploy British cruise missiles in response to the chemical attack in Douma was "both right and legal".