Russian warship conducts live-fire drills off Britain's coast
Photo: Russian warship Neustrashimyi (Getty Images)
On July 20, the Russian frigate Neustrashimyi conducted live-fire artillery exercises just 40 nautical miles south of the British city of Plymouth, the BBC reports.
Russian warship fires near Britain
The Neustrashimyi was shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel that monitored the Russian drills and continues to track the frigate, a UK Ministry of Defense spokesperson said.
According to the BBC, the Russian frigate was also monitored by a French military aircraft, which established radio contact with the vessel and requested clarification of its intentions.
Before opening fire, the Russian warship notified the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Tyne and asked it to move to a safer distance, the report said.
"The Russian live-fire exercise took place in international waters and lasted for 30 minutes," the BBC reported.
Why now?
The broadcaster suggests the incident serves as a reminder to newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham of the growing activity of the Russian Navy near British waters.
Defense sources declined to comment on whether the timing of the incident was linked to the start of Burnham's premiership.
Other Russian vessels near Britain
In June, Royal Marines boarded a tanker from Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the English Channel during a six-hour operation — the first mission of its kind carried out by the British Armed Forces.
Also in the Channel, British sailors aboard a yacht encountered the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich about 37 kilometers (23 miles) off the Isle of Wight.
In June, an unusual Russian convoy passed near Denmark. It included the yacht Graceful, which has been linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, in January, the Royal Navy escorted a suspicious Russian vessel out of the Bristol Channel after it had loitered near critical undersea cables.
