Russian Naval Vessel Conducts Live-Fire Drill Near UK Coast, Claims Britsh MoD

A Russian warship conducted live-fire drills 40 nautical miles off Plymouth, prompting close monitoring by the Royal Navy, which said it remains prepared to safeguard UK security.

London:A Russian warship, Neustrashimy, on Monday (July 20) conducted a live-fire weapons exercise in international waters approximately 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth yesterday, the United Kingdom’s Defence Ministry claimed. The ministry further stated that the British Navy shadowed the warship when it was conducting live drills.

“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 ministry stated, as quoted by Sky News.

“The Royal Navy monitored that exercise throughout, continues to track the vessel’s activity closely, and stands ready to protect UK national security,” it added.

As per the media house, the Russian vessel informed HMS Tyne of its intention to conduct gunnery activity before the exercise.

A similar incident took place last month, when a Russian warship reportedly fired warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel. The alleged incident took place at around 11:40am BST on June 16 between the Isle of Wight and Normandy, reported BBC. According to the report, a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, was involved in the firing incident. The Russian frigate reportedly fired the warning shots towards the British yacht at a distance of approximately 500 yards. No injuries or damage has been reported to the yacht. A detailed investigation was launched by the British authorities.

The Royal Navy had also intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in June as it allegedly attempted to pass through the English Channel. The vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers ⁠from the National Crime Agency, Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had stated that the Russian ship was intercepted on his directions.