A Russian warship conducted a live-fire exercise approximately 40 miles south of Plymouth in international waters on July 20. The Russian frigate Neustrashimy performed the drill, which lasted about 30 minutes, a day after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
The Royal Navy mobilized ships, including HMS Tyne, to monitor the Neustrashimy. Before firing, the frigate notified HMS Tyne of its intention to conduct gunnery exercises and requested the patrol vessel move to a safer distance, which it did. French military aircraft also monitored the Russian vessel and made radio contact to ascertain its intentions. The French navy also released images, stating its ships were tracking the Russian vessel.
This live-fire exercise follows a period of increased activity and monitoring of Russian vessels in British waters. In June, Royal Marine Commandos boarded the Russian oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, marking a significant operation by the UK Armed Forces.
The Royal Navy has stated it is stepping up its surveillance of Russian movements in UK waters and the North Atlantic. Last month, British warships and helicopters spent three weeks tracking Moscow's maritime activity in the region. The Navy reported a 25% increase in its monitoring activities across the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2025. Several Royal Navy vessels, including HMS Tyne, HMS Somerset, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn, along with Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, were involved in tracking Russian movements.
Earlier this year, Royal Navy vessels also tracked Russian warships sailing around the UK. In one incident on June 16, the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich reportedly fired warning shots near a yacht belonging to a British couple sailing south of the Isle of Wight. The couple reported hearing horn blasts followed by gunfire as they approached within approximately 500 meters of the frigate.