The Russian Navy frigate Neustrashimy opened fire in a live artillery exercise approximately 46 miles south of Plymouth on Monday, while being shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the incident, stating the exercise took place in international waters and lasted around 30 minutes.
Royal Navy Monitoring and Safety Precautions
The Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Tyne was monitoring the Russian frigate when the Neustrashimy informed them of its intention to conduct gunnery activity. The Russian warship requested HMS Tyne move to a safer distance before commencing the live-fire drill. A French military aircraft was also reportedly monitoring the frigate at the time.
An MoD spokesperson said: "A Russian naval vessel shadowed by the Royal Navy conducted a live-fire weapons exercise in international waters approximately 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth yesterday. The Royal Navy monitored that exercise throughout, continues to track the vessel’s activity closely, and stands ready to protect UK national security."
Increased Russian Activity Near UK Waters
This incident is part of a pattern of heightened Russian naval activity around UK waters in recent months. Last month, Royal Marine Commandos boarded a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel. The operation, assisted by the RAF and National Crime Agency, lasted six hours and involved 24 crew members from Georgia and India.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented at the time: "This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide."
Previous Russian Vessel Incident with British Yacht
In a separate incident, a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots near a retired British couple on a yacht. Jane Kelvey, 68, and her husband Alan, 70, were aboard their 40ft yacht Bright Future, travelling from the south coast of England towards France, when the Russian vessel fired several times. The MoD stated the shots were warning attempts to prevent a possible collision, about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters.
An MoD spokesperson at the time said: "These (shots) were not aimed at the vessel and were an attempt to prevent a possible collision."
