Get you up to speed: Russian warship carried out live firing exercise off Plymouth coast | News UK
A Russian warship, the Neustrashimy, conducted a live-fire artillery exercise 40 miles off the coast of Plymouth on Monday. The Royal Navy, specifically HMS Tyne, monitored the operation and was advised to maintain a safer distance during the 30-minute exercise.
The Royal Navy’s HMS Tyne was involved in monitoring the live-fire artillery exercise conducted by the Russian frigate Neustrashimy, which lasted 30 minutes. This incident is part of a broader context of heightened Russian naval activity near UK waters, where multiple vessels have been tracked this year.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Royal Navy is “tracking the vessel’s activity closely” following the Russian warship’s live-fire exercise off Plymouth. Defence sources reportedly declined to comment on whether the incident coincided with Andy Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street.
What remains unclear — The Ministry of Defence did not clarify whether the timing of the Russian warship’s exercise was related to Andy Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street.
Russian warship conducts live-fire exercise off Plymouth coast
A Russian warship carried out a live-fire artillery exercise 40 miles off the coast of Plymouth on Monday.
It was monitored by the Royal Navy, who are continuing to ‘track the vessel’s activity closely’, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The Russian frigate, Neustrashimy, had reportedly informed the HMS Tyne – a Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel – of its intentions to fire.
A French military aircraft also made radio contact with the warship and asked those on board to clarify its intentions.
The BBC reported that the HMS Tyne was asked to move to a safer distance while the exercise took place, lasting 30 minutes.
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This is one of several Russian ships seen near UK waters this year, with a ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in the Channel last month.
Royal Marine Commandos boarded the tanker in a six-hour operation, the first of its kind by the UK armed forces.
Russian warships regularly pass through the international waters in the Channel, not entering UK or French territories.
UK defence sources would reportedly not comment to the BBC on whether this incident may have been timed with Andy Burnham’s arrival at Downing Street.