Key facts
- A Russian warship, the Neustrashimy frigate, conducted a live-fire artillery exercise.
- The exercise occurred 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth, UK, on Monday.
- The Royal Navy monitored the event and is continuing to track the vessel.
- A French military aircraft also observed the Russian warship.
- The Russian vessel informed HMS Tyne of its intentions and requested it move to a safer distance.
- The exercise took place in international waters and lasted 30 minutes.
A Russian warship, the Neustrashimy frigate, conducted a live-fire artillery exercise approximately 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth on Monday. The Royal Navy vessel HMS Tyne was shadowed by the Russian frigate and was informed of the impending gunnery activity, subsequently repositioning to a safer distance. The exercise, which took place in international waters, lasted for 30 minutes.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that the Royal Navy monitored the exercise and continues to track the vessel's activity closely. Additionally, a French military aircraft observed the Neustrashimy and made radio contact to clarify its intentions.
This incident serves as a reminder of increased Russian naval activity near UK waters in recent months. Russian warships regularly transit international waters in the English Channel. In June, a similar encounter occurred when a British couple came across the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich 23 miles off the Isle of Wight.