A Russian warship carried out a live-fire artillery exercise approximately 46 miles off the coast of Plymouth on Monday, July 20, prompting close monitoring by the Royal Navy. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Russian frigate Neustrashimy notified HMS Tyne, a Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel, of its intention to conduct the exercise before opening fire. A French military aircraft also contacted the vessel over radio to seek clarification on its activities.
Exercise Details and Safety Measures
The BBC reported that HMS Tyne was asked to move to a safer distance while the live-fire exercise took place, which lasted about 30 minutes. The Ministry of Defence stated that it continues to closely monitor the vessel's movements. The incident is the latest involving Russian naval activity near UK waters.
Russian warships regularly sail through international waters in the English Channel, although they do not enter British or French territorial waters. Last month, Royal Marine Commandos boarded a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the Channel during a six-hour operation, marking the first mission of its kind by UK armed forces.
Previous Incidents Involving Russian Vessels
In June, a retired British couple sailing a 40-foot yacht near the Isle of Wight became involved in an incident with the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich. Russia accused the couple of making a dangerous approach, while the couple insisted they were not on a collision course. The couple said the warship sounded its horn before firing warning shots into the air, an action former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described as "reckless". The Russian Navy maintained it had attempted to contact the yacht through radio messages, flares and sound signals.
The Admiral Grigorovich had also been monitored continuously by Royal Navy patrol ships for an entire month earlier this year as it escorted Russian vessels through the North Sea, Western Approaches and other international waters.
Other Russian Naval Activity Near UK
Late last year, the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy was intercepted by HMS Severn while transiting the Dover Strait before being handed over to a NATO ally near the French coast. Another Russian vessel, Yantar, which is used to map undersea cables, was also detected operating close to UK waters during the same period.
