Russian Warship Conducts Live-Fire Exercise Off Plymouth

A Russian warship carried out a live-fire artillery exercise off the coast of Plymouth on Monday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Russian frigate, Neustrashimy, was being shadowed by a Royal Navy ship and a French military aircraft during the operation, which lasted around 30 minutes.

The warship is understood to have informed the Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tyne of its intentions ahead of time.

A Ministry of Defence 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.”

The exercise took place in international waters and lasted for 30 minutes.

Russian warships regularly pass through International waters in the English Channel. In September last year, British crews shadowed the Neustrashimy as it escorted a cargo ship through the North Sea and the Channel.

Last month, the Navy said it had carried out a three-month-long “unbroken watch” on Russian warships and accompanying vessels in UK waters, including a frigate which fired a warning shot on a British yacht.

Five navy ships were involved in the monitoring of the Admiral Grigorovich, which opened fire in the incident involving the yacht Bright Future south of the Isle of Wight on 16 June.

In April, the 3,500-tonne vessel was observed accompanying two other shadow fleet ships along England’s southern coast, with the British tanker RFA Tideforce trailing behind.

The Neustrashimy’s live-fire exercise comes just a day after Andy Burnham became Britain’s prime minister, appointing former defence secretary John Healey as his Chancellor.