British warships head to Black Sea

The sources told the British newspaper "Sunday Times", that "sending these ships aims to show solidarity with Ukraine and Britain's allies in NATO."

The report pointed out that "a destroyer armed with anti-aircraft missiles and an anti-submarine frigate will leave the group of missions of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean and head across the Bosphorus to the Black Sea."

Tensions escalated between Moscow and Kiev, amid a mobilization of Russian forces along the border and clashes broke out in eastern Ukraine between the army and the pro-Russian separatists.

A ministry spokesman told the newspaper, "The British government is working closely with Ukraine to monitor the situation and continues to call on Russia to halt the escalation."

"The United Kingdom and our international allies are steadfast in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the newspaper quoted the spokesman as saying.

Russia sent 15 warships to the Black Sea for a maneuver, on Saturday, amid renewed tensions in eastern Ukraine.

J.O