A RUSSIAN submarine has been spotted off the coast of Scotland sparking a secret emergency meeting.
Vladimir Putin’s 13,800-tonne sub Kazan was spotted on June 5 by RAF Poseidon P8 anti-submarine aircraft.
East2WestVladimir Putin’s 13,800-tonne sub Kazan was spotted on June 5 by RAF Poseidon P8 anti-submarine aircraft[/caption]
ReutersThe state-of-the-art Russian submarine has since arrived in Havana, Cuba[/caption]
GettyThe Russian President is said to have reacted with fury at the West’s support of Ukraine[/caption]
The sighting has sparked fears the Russian president is making good on his promise to “punish” the West for funding Ukraine with a £40billion loan using frozen Russian assets.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Defence Secretary Grant Shapps in a ‘secret’ meeting and was told the RAF surveillance reconnaissance aircraft had pinpointed the sub’s movements near Britain’s naval base in Faslane.
The submarine was said to have been tracked close to Scotland, but without crossing territorial waters.
NATO leaders were said to be concerned that the vessel might be scoping for weak points in the perimeter.
The state-of-the art Russian submarine has since arrived in Havana, Cuba for a five-day visit with Western leaders seemingly downplaying the deployment which is just 100 miles from US territory.
It is expected to go on to Commonwealth country Guyana where Navy patrol ship, HMS Trent has already been deployed.
According to The Express, Putin was furious at the provision of American Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets to Ukraine and a loan.
In a briefing last week, Julianne Smith, the US NATO Ambassador, said Washington DC may review its policy of not allowing the ATACMS to target mainland Russia
She said: “We will continue to assess and adapt to Ukraine’s ever-evolving needs.”
Around £240billion assets from Russia’s central bank were frozen shortly after the country invaded Ukraine.