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 crewsshadowed the Neustrashimyas 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
Mr Healey resigned as Sir Keir’s defence secretary last month following a row over the defence investment plan
