'HMS Defender' has returned to Portsmouth after escorting a number of Russian ships along the UK coastline over Christmas and the New Year. As the fleet ready escort, HMS Defender was on duty as the Royal Navy’s high readiness warship over Christmas and the New Year, ready to respond to a wide range of short notice tasks from search and rescue duties to maritime security patrols. The Portsmouth-based destroyer sailed through high sea states and storm force winds to the north of mainland Scotland to meet the group of 6 vessels.