Royal Navy races to intercept heavily-armed Russian aircraft carrier heading for English Channel as it practises bombing raids near Scotland ahead of Syrian mission

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The Royal Navy is on red alert after it was revealed that Russia plans to sail a fleet of warships along the British coast as it makes it way to Syria.

Russia's flagship Admiral Kuznetsov and seven additional vessels will pass the UK on their voyage to the war-torn country as it prepares to bomb rebel forces in Aleppo.

The fleet is expected to carry out practice bombing north of Scotland before potentially sailing down the English Channel - a mile off the coast of Britain.

It comes amid rapidly escalating tensions between the west and Russia, as the Kremlin looks to give a show of strength right on the doorstep of the UK.

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Russia's flagship Admiral Kuznetsov (shown) and seven additional vessels will pass the UK on their voyage to the war-torn country as it prepares to bomb rebel forces in Aleppo

Two British warships, possibly HMS Duncan and HMS Richmond (pictured), will be scrambled by the Royal Navy to navigate the vessels past Britain

The Royal Navy is on red alert after it was revealed that Russia plans to sail a fleet of warships along the British coast as it makes it way to Syria

Two British warships, possibly HMS Duncan and HMS Richmond, will be deployed by the Royal Navy to escort the vessels past Britain,The Times reported.

The Russian ships could arrive in Britain as soon as early next week, with their departure from the naval port of Severomorsk expected any moment.

Fellow Nato countries are expected to track the fleet's progress along Scandinavia, past the UK and into the Mediterranean, while British fighter jets will be on standby.  

After arriving off the coast of Syria, the Kuznetsov is expected to take up position there for almost half a year.

The deployment comes amid tense relations between the UK and Russia, exasperated by comments made by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson was roundly criticised for his ‘shameful’ callcall for anti-war protests over the bombing of Sryia outside the Russian embassy in London. 

The Russian's Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered cruiser is expected to join the fleet making its way to Syria

Admiral Kuznetsov, a heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, is the flagship of the Russian Navy (pictured, sailors on the Kuznetsov's deck)

Russia accused him of ‘Russophobic hysteria’ and said his claims Moscow had committed ‘every deadly sin was a storm in a teacup full of muddy London water’. 

It comes as many defence experts warned that Russia's economy appeared to be on a war footing.

Reports from Moscow suggested the Kremlin had ordered officials to fly home all relatives living abroad - with some residents claiming it is 'another step towards war'.

The Kremlin is said to have told high ranking officials to bring their loved ones back to the 'Motherland' immediately - with any who disobey being overlooked for promotion.

Relations with the West are rapidly deteriorating over Russia's role in the Syria conflict and just days after Putin moved nuclear-ready missiles closer to the border with Poland.

The deployment comes amid tense relations between the UK and Russia (President Vladimir Putin, left), exasperated by comments made by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (right)

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned just days ago that the world is at a 'dangerous point' due to rising tensions between Russia and the US

Putin also cancelled a planned visit to France amid a furious row over Moscow's role in the Syrian conflict and just days after it emerged the Kremlin had moved nuclear-capable missiles near to the Polish border.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned just days ago that the world is at a 'dangerous point' due to rising tensions between Russia and the US. 

Moscow has been accused of posturing to the rest of the world by prepping civilians for potential war, instructing them to check on the availability of bomb shelters and gas masks.

In response, US intelligence officials told NBC News that the CIA is preparing for a possible cyber attack on the Kremlin to embarrass its leadership.

Type 42 destroyer HMS York (background) escorts the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in International Waters close to the UK in 2011

Many defence experts believe Russia is not intent on war but is instead throwing its weight around to deter western countries from intervening with Russian bombing in Syria.

Among the 'stunts' carried out by the Kremlin have been state-sponsored television guides on how to prepare in the event of an attack on Russian soil.

State-controlled media has also carried news bulletins warning civilians to familiarise themselves with the nearest bomb shelters and clarifying which government bodies would take command in the breakout of war.

Last week Russia moved nuclear-capable Iskander ballistic missiles into one of its regions on the Baltic Sea - prompting a fearful response from Poland and Estonia.

Russia says the missiles are being deployed as part of regular military manoeuvres to Kaliningrad, but it comes amid heightened tensions between the country and the West.