A Russian frigate conducted a live-fire exercise approximately 40 miles south of Plymouth in international waters on July 20, prompting increased monitoring by the Royal Navy. The Neustrashimy frigate's drill occurred just one day after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
Royal Navy ships, including the offshore patrol vessel HMS Tyne, were mobilized to track the Neustrashimy after it had repeatedly transited UK waters to escort Russian oil tankers. A French military aircraft also monitored the Russian vessel and made radio contact to ascertain its intentions. Before commencing its gunnery exercises, the Neustrashimy informed HMS Tyne of its plans and requested the patrol vessel move to a safer distance, which it did.
The live-fire drill lasted around 30 minutes. Images released by the Royal Navy show the frigate firing its naval guns. The Neustrashimy's armaments include a 100mm gun, Kashtan CIWS, Kinzhal SAMs, and torpedoes. HMS Tyne reported that the Russian vessel fired approximately 20 shots from its main 100mm armament and its 30mm battery.
"Through sustained presence and close cooperation with allies, HMS Tyne was ideally suited to this task, providing reassurance and monitoring while enabling other Fleet units to continue their operational commitments," said Lieutenant Commander Sam Fields, Commanding Officer of HMS Tyne.
This exercise follows a period of heightened Royal Navy activity in monitoring Russian maritime movements. In June, Royal Marine Commandos boarded the Russian oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, marking the first such mission for the UK Armed Forces. Earlier in the year, Royal Navy vessels spent three months tracking Russian warships, including an incident where the frigate Admiral Grigorovich reportedly fired warning shots near a British couple's yacht.
The Royal Navy stated it is intensifying its surveillance of Russian movements in UK waters and the North Atlantic. Over the first seven months of the year, the Royal Navy's monitoring activities increased by 25 percent compared to 2025. Last month, British warships and helicopters spent 21 days tracking Moscow's maritime activity in the region. Several ships, including HMS Tyne, HMS Somerset, HMS Mersey, and HMS Severn, along with Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, were involved in these operations.