Russian Frigate Fires 46 Miles Off Plymouth as UK Calls 30-Minute Drill Irresponsible
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 21
Russian Frigate Fires 46 Miles Off Plymouth as UK Calls 30-Minute Drill Irresponsible
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 21
Summary
Neustrashimy carried out a 30-minute live-fire artillery drill 46 miles south of Plymouth on Monday after notifying HMS Tyne, which then moved to a safer distance while continuing to shadow the frigate.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called the exercise “performative and irresponsible,” while the Kremlin said it complied with international law and denied any direct link to Andy Burnham taking office.
At least four British military aircraft — including two Typhoons — and a French military aircraft monitored activity around the Channel, with ship-tracking data showing HMS Tyne remained off Plymouth for about two hours.
The drill adds to a run of Russian naval activity near UK waters, after Royal Marines boarded a Russian “shadow fleet” tanker last month and another Russian frigate fired warning shots near a British yacht in June.
Retired Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe said gunnery so close to Britain’s south coast is very unusual and suggested it fits a growing UK-Russia tit-for-tat in the Channel.