A Russian warship carried out a live-fire artillery exercise just 46 miles (74km) south of Plymouth on Monday. The Royal Navy monitored the exercise and said it was tracking “the vessel’s artillery” closely, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said.
Timing and Reactions
The drill came just 24 hours after the UK got a new Prime Minister in Andy Burnham, with some believing it was intended as a show of strength by Russia. According to reports, the Russian frigate Neustrashimy informed the Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tyne of its intention to conduct gunnery activity.
Newly appointed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting described the exercise as “performative and irresponsible”. He told reporters: “We should see yesterday’s events as performative and irresponsible. It’s not the first time that Russia has behaved like this, and frankly, it’s the tip of the iceberg of the daily threats that this country faces and our allies face.”
Military and Political Commentary
Lord Dannatt, chief of the British Army’s general staff between 2006 and 2009, told Times Radio the activity was another “illustration of the aggressive instinct” shown by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that Mr Putin “wants to demonstrate that Russia’s got muscles that it can flex and it’s not entirely by happenstance that that Russian warship chose to carry out a live-fire exercise on the same day that Andy Burnham became prime minister”.
He continued: “This is an indication from the Kremlin that ‘we’re here and we’re powerful, we’re strong, and what are you going to do about it?’ So it’s a challenge.”
Government Response
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he would not engage in “speculation around Russia’s intent”. But he added: “What I can say is that our armed forces are at a state of constant readiness to protect UK national security.”
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said he only knows “a very sketchy amount” about the exercise but “in principle, obviously (it’s) very concerning” and “typical bravado from Putin”. Also speaking on Times Radio, the Conservative frontbencher warned there was “very obviously a lack of surface ships for the Royal Navy”. He said: “More surface ships, more frigates in our shores, would send a very powerful signal to Putin that we’re not going to tolerate this sort of behaviour.”
