Defence Secretary John Healey said Russia "remains the most pressing and immediate threat to Britain", and added that "any threat will be met with strength and resolve".

The Royal Navy has been monitoring a Russian spy ship after it was spotted around UK waters earlier this week, the defence secretary has told MPs. John Healey said the vessel, Yantar, was used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure.

A Russian spy ship entered British waters twice in recent weeks, prompting the UK to deploy Royal Navy ships, Royal Air Force planes and a submarine, Defence Secretary John Healey said.

A rare, red warning has also been issued by Ireland's weather service ahead of the arrival of Storm Eowyn, warning of "severe, damaging and destructive gusts".

Forecasters have warned Storm Eowyn could be 'exceptionally dangerous' as the Met Office issued an upgraded amber weather warning for a large section of the UK on Friday. Amber and yellow weather warnings are in place for Friday into Saturday,

Storm Eowyn is set to bring gusts of up to 90mph to parts of the UK, with the Met Office issuing an amber weather warning for strong winds. The storm could cause flying debris, power cuts, transport problems and danger to life.