Russian warship conducts live-fire exercise off Plymouth coast
The exercise happened approximately 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth
Last updated 10 hours ago
A Russian warship conducted a live-fire military exercise approximately 40 nautical miles off the UK coast south of Plymouth.
The vessel's activity was closely monitored by a Royal Navy ship, according to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson.
UK and French forces are reported to have monitored the vessel's movements.
Russian warships frequently navigate through international waters in the Channel, separate from UK and French territorial waters.
A MOD 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."
Lord Dannatt, who led the British Army's general staff from 2006 to 2009, commented on Times Radio, suggesting the exercise was part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy to display power.
He remarked, "It's not entirely by happenstance that that Russian warship chose to carry out a live-fire exercise on the same day that Andy Burnham became prime minister."
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, while lacking specific details about the event, expressed concerns over the exercise, describing it as "typical bravado from Putin."
Cartlidge used the opportunity to highlight the need for enhanced defence spending and more Royal Navy surface ships, advocating for redirected funds from the Chagos deal to expedite ship-building in Scotland.
These actions would, according to Cartlidge, send a strong message to Russia regarding the UK’s stance on such military exercises.