Russian warship carried out firing exercise off Plymouth coast

BBC:

A Russian warship, shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel, carried out a live-fire artillery exercise just 46 miles (74km) south of Plymouth on Monday.

The Royal Navy monitored the exercise and is continuing to “track the vessel’s activity closely”, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said.

The BBC has been told that, prior to opening fire, Russian frigate Neustrashimy (English: Dauntless) had informed the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS Tyne, of its intention to conduct gunnery activity.

Newly-appointed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called the exercise “performative and irresponsible”.

“Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government and this prime minister,” he said.

The Russian warship requested that HMS Tyne reposition to a safer distance, which it did. The Russian live-fire exercise took place in international waters and lasted for 30 minutes.

The Russian frigate was also being monitored by a French military aircraft which made radio contact with the warship asking it to clarify its intentions, the BBC has been told.