A Russian frigate, the Neustrashimy, conducted a live-fire artillery exercise on Monday in international waters, just 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Royal Navy actively monitored the vessel's activity throughout the duration of the drill, which lasted for 30 minutes. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence stated that the Royal Navy is continuing to track the frigate's movements closely.
Prior to the commencement of the firing, the Russian warship contacted the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS Tyne, to signal its intent to perform gunnery activity. The Russian vessel requested that HMS Tyne reposition to a safer distance, a request with which the British patrol vessel complied. The exercise also drew attention from the French military, which deployed an aircraft to monitor the frigate. The French crew established radio contact with the Russian warship to request clarification regarding its intentions.
This incident serves as a reminder of increased Russian naval activity near UK waters in recent months. UK defence sources declined to comment on whether the timing of the incident was intended to coincide with the start of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's premiership. The event follows a series of notable encounters in the region. Last month, Royal Marine Commandos boarded a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the English Channel in a six-hour operation, the first of its kind by UK armed forces. Additionally, in June, a British couple, Jane and Alan Kelvey, reported that the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich fired warning shots while passing their yacht 23 miles off the Isle of Wight. While the Russian defence ministry characterized the yacht's presence as a "dangerous approach," the couple maintained they were not on a collision course. Russian warships regularly transit through international waters in the Channel, which remain separate from UK and French territorial waters.
