See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ELIANA SILVER, SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 07:12 BST, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 10:30 BST, 21 July 2026
A Russian warship carried out a live-fire artillery exercise just 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth on Monday while under close surveillance by the Royal Navy.The Russian frigate Neustrashimy was shadowed by HMS Tyne, while a French military aircraft also monitored the vessel and made radio contact to request clarification of its intentions.Before opening fire, the frigate informed HMS Tyne that it intended to conduct gunnery exercises and asked the Royal Navy patrol vessel to move to a safer distance, which it did. The live-fire drill lasted around 30 minutes and took place in international waters at around 9am Monday morning.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.'The incident occurred just one day after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. UK defence sources have not commented on whether the incident might have been timed to coincide with the start of his premiership. In June, Royal Marine Commandos boarded a Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker in the English Channel during a six-hour operation, marking the first mission of its kind carried out by the UK armed forces. Video released by the Ministry of Defence shows helicopters intercepting the vessel Smyrtos off the Dorset coast on June 14 in the first operation of its kind. HMS Iron Duke shadows RFN Neustrashimy and cargo ship Sparta (file pic)
