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The Russian Navy warships were already loitering off the coast of Kinsale-Cork (Ireland), when it was announced that the formal transfer of power from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to (now) Prime Minister Liz Truss would be held by the Queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, rather than in London. The Queen looks healthy. This appears to have been more of a security measure, so that all three wouldn’t be in London at the same time. Additionally, Balmoral, located in the Scottish Highlands, appears more secure. Anyway, why would the Queen ever wish to return to London, when she could stay in Scotland?

“Russian submarine and destroyer in dramatic Irish Sea chase as Defence Forces ‘monitor’ situation: An oil tanker ship for the Russian navy has drawn the attention of security experts who track Russian naval activity after it was spotted off the Cork coast. The Irish Defence Forces say they are ‘monitoring the situation’“. By Anita McSorley and Sara Rountree, 31 Aug. 2022, updated 1 Sept. 2022: https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/russian-submarine-destroyer-dramatic-irish-27877776

“Defence Forces ‘monitoring’ Russian warships 100kms off the Old Head of Kinsale- The naval support ship has drawn the attention of security experts since yesterday evening” By Sara Rountree, Deputy Online Editor, 11:08, 31 AUG 2022, UPDATED11:15, 31 AUG 2022 https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/world-news/defence-forces-monitoring-russian-warships-24895295

“Heavily Armed Russian Navy Ships Sailing Between Britain And Ireland
Tue 30 August 2022” (last modified Sun 04 September 2022) By H I Sutton http://www.hisutton.com/Ustinov-Cruiser-Uk-Passage.html

“Suspected Russian ‘spy ship’ spotted loitering off coast of Ireland after ‘going off track’ The Akademik Pashin is an oil-tanker for Russia’s Northern Fleet and it appears to have gone off its expected track. It is also suspected that it could be with a mystery companion.” By Anita McSorley and Joe O’Shea Editor, Cork Beo, 15:41, 17 AUG 2022 https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/suspected-russian-spy-ship-spotted-27765381

“Royal Navy warship escorts Russian Navy fleet through English Channel as security tightens: THE ROYAL NAVY is escorting a fleet of Russian warships through the English Channel following shadowing the vessels in the Irish Sea as they returned from operations in the Mediterranean Sea.” By James Le 11:33, Mon, Sep 5, 2022, Updated: 14:29, Mon, Sep 5, 2022 https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1664858/royal-navy-russian-warship-English-channel-defence-news

“ROYAL FIRST Queen Elizabeth news: Her Maj makes history as she appoints new PM Liz Truss TODAY at Balmoral for the first time” By Ije Teunissen-Oligboh Updated: 9:30, 6 Sep 2022 “HER MAJESTY the Queen makes history today as she appoints the new Prime Minister from Balmoral for the first time. Liz Truss is expected to make her way to the Queen’s rural holiday home in the Highlands today. It is a stark change from the usual appointment ceremony, which the Queen has conducted from the heart of London, Buckingham Palace, since she took to the throne…” https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/19392634/queen-elizabeth-hospital-liz-truss-royal-family-meghan-markle/


“Royal Navy keeps watch as Russian warships sail close to the UK”
06 September 2022
“UK homewaters Three Royal Navy warships have been on a concerted operation shadowing a Russian Navy task force in waters close to the UK.

Type 23 frigates HMS Westminster, HMS Lancaster and HMS Richmond tracked Slava-class cruiser, Marshal Ustinov – the sister ship of the ill-fated Moskva which sunk in the Black Sea in April – and Udaloy-class destroyer, Vice-Admiral Kulakov, plus their tanker Vyazma.



The British ships tracked the Russian task group as they made their journey home from the eastern Mediterranean after supporting Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine since February.

 The frigates and their helicopters used an array of cutting-edge sensors and modern naval technology to keep close watch in the Celtic Sea and through the English Channel.



HMS Westminster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Ed Moss-Ward, said: “Maritime security in the sea areas around the UK is crucial to our prosperity and resilience.



“The Royal Navy routinely responds to escort warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas to ensure compliance with maritime law, to deter malign activity and to protect our national interests.



“Escorting the Russian task group has demonstrated that the Royal Navy is committed to maintaining maritime security and to co-operating with our NATO Allies.”

HMS Lancaster shadowed the Russian ships from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Celtic Sea as part of NATO’s fast response task force in the Atlantic (Standing NATO Maritime Task Group 1).
 
“Working together allows NATO allies to respond to security challenges at pace and collectively deter potential aggressors,” said Commander Tom Johnson, Commanding Officer of HMS Lancaster. 

“Exchange of personnel further deepens NATO cohesion and interoperability so that the alliance can swiftly and efficiently react to any threat. Lancaster’s team work exceptionally hard to ensure we are always ready to respond to any threat at a moment’s notice.

”

HMS Westminster deployed from Portsmouth to intercept the Russian ships in the Celtic Sea, where they paused, dispersing up to 60 nautical miles while the Marshal Ustinov was refuelled by the tanker Vyazma.

 HMS Richmond was called upon to keep watch in the English Channel. 




Commanding Officer, Commander Chris L’Amie said: “At short notice, HMS Richmond intercepted the Russian Federation Navy’s Surface Action Group in the English Channel. We will closely monitor the task group’s activity whilst demonstrating the UK’s resolve, and the capability and professionalism of the Royal Navy.

”

Meanwhile, as this operation was underway, Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Mersey shadowed Russian military research vessel Akademik Ioffe on its journey south through the Dover shipping lanes and into the Channel.” http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk is published under the Open Government Licence, subject to Crown copyright https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2022/september/06/220906-royal-navy-keeps-watch-as-russian-warships-sail-close-to-the-uk

“SEP 7 2022
NATO MONITORS RUSSIAN SHIPS TRANSITING CELTIC SEA, ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA. 
NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom – NATO ships are a part of a larger Allied military presence in the Atlantic and North Sea continually supporting maritime situational awareness activities. As part of these operations, NATO and its Allies have monitored three Russian Navy ships transiting the region. 

This common effort has been coordinated with multiple entities including Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and Allied navies’ Maritime Operations Centres leading to a shared maritime picture across the Alliance.  

“Routinely monitoring areas and activities of interest to the maritime security of Alliance Nations is an important part of NATO’s responsibilities,” Commander, Surface Forces NATO German Navy Rear Admiral Stefan Pauly said. “It creates overall maritime awareness and contributes to the safety of navigation for the international maritime community.” 

SNMG1, currently under the command of Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Jeanette Morang is NATO’s Very High Readiness Task Group made up of ships from the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.  

Routinely monitoring areas and activities of interest to the maritime security of Alliance Nations is an important part of NATO’s responsibilities

Similarly, Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) is deployed in the Mediterranean Sea and maintains a comprehensive picture of maritime operations in the region including, but not limited to, the presence of Russian Navy units. Through close and permanent coordination between Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and Allied national headquarters, NATO maximizes operational effectiveness. Under the command of U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Scott Sciretta, SNMG2 includes ships from the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Türkiye, and the U.K. 

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Groups 1 and 2 also work in parallel with the SNMGs providing an integrated, multinational defensive force. The SNMCMG1 is led by Estonian Navy Commander Ott Laanemets and includes ships from Latvia, Canada, Germany, and the U.K. SNMCMG2 is led by Turkish Navy Captain Yusuf Karagulle and includes ships from Turkiye, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.  

Even though a number of NATO, Allied, Partner, and Russian ships sail in the same areas, NATO has not observed any aggressive behaviour from the Russian ships. NATO and Allies remain vigilant and continuously adapt to changing tactical situations. 

NATO’s Standing Naval Force comprise four maritime groups that operate under Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). Headquartered in Northwood, MARCOM Commander is the primary maritime advisor to the Alliance. Like its land and air counterparts (LANDCOM and AIRCOM), MARCOM reports directly to NATO’s Allied Command Operations (ACO), which is located in Mons, Belgium.”  Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM https://mc.nato.int/media-centre/news/2022/nato-monitors-russian-ships-transiting-celtic-sea–english-channel-and-north-sea

“Queen Makes First Public Appearance Since July to Greet New Prime Minister” BY JAMES CRAWFORD-SMITH ON 9/6/22 AT 9:56 AM EDT https://www.newsweek.com/queen-elizabeth-meets-prime-minister-liz-truss-public-appearance-july-balmoral-1740219

“Queen won’t return to London to appoint new British PM, for first time in her reign” By Max Foster and Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Updated 1113 GMT (1913 HKT) August 31, 2022 https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/31/uk/queen-elizabeth-prime-minister-balmoral-intl-gbr/index.html

“Truss arrives at Balmoral for audience with Queen“
12:26 (6 Sept. 2022) Liz Truss has arrived at Balmoral for her audience with the Queen where she will be formally made prime minister. She is with her husband, Hugh O’Leary….

Johnson leaves Balmoral after resigning as PM
11:58 (6 Sept. 2022)

Johnson arrives at Balmoral to tender his resignation to Queen
11:52 (6 Sept. 2022) Excerpts from: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/liz-truss-confirmed-as-prime-minister-after-meeting-queen-at-balmoral-e2-80-93-uk-politics-live

“ROYAL FIRST Queen Elizabeth news: Her Maj makes history as she appoints new PM Liz Truss TODAY at Balmoral for the first time By Ije Teunissen-Oligboh Updated: 9:30, 6 Sep 2022
HER MAJESTY the Queen makes history today as she appoints the new Prime Minister from Balmoral for the first time.
Liz Truss is expected to make her way to the Queen’s rural holiday home in the Highlands today.
It is a stark change from the usual appointment ceremony, which the Queen has conducted from the heart of London, Buckingham Palace, since she took to the throne.
* This is not the first time a Monarch has appointed a new Prime Minister away from Buckingham Palace.
* The only other exception occurred in 1908, when Herbert Henry Asquith went to see Edward VII in Biarritz, France, for his appointment.
* The new Conservative PM, Liz Truss, is expected to arrive at Balmoral Castle in Scotland for 12:10pm, Reuters reported.
* Once the appointment is complete, the Court Circular records that “the Prime Minister kiss[es] hands on appointment,” which means they will shake hands.
* Liz will leave Balmoral after roughly 30 minutes with the Queen.
* She will be the 15th Prime Minister the Queen has appointed.
* Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest news & updates..”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/19392634/queen-elizabeth-hospital-liz-truss-royal-family-meghan-markle/