A Russian ship, which performed artillery maneuvers at sea south of Plymouth on Monday, was followed by a Royal Navy patrol vessel.
Read more General government deficit in the euro area in the first quarter stood at 3,1% of GDP
It is reported that the warship ‘Neustrashimy’ escorted Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers through the English Channel.
“A Russian warship, which was followed by a Royal Navy vessel, conducted military exercises and fired weapons yesterday in international waters, approximately 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth.
The Royal Navy monitored these exercises throughout, continues to closely track the ship’s activities, and is ready to defend the national security of the United Kingdom,” a spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence confirmed.
Ordered to Retreat
It is stated that before the exercises, the Russian ship informed HMS Tyne of its intention to conduct the aforementioned firing exercises. The warship then issued a request for HMS Tyne to withdraw to a safe distance, which its captain did.
According to SkyNews, the exercises took place in international waters and lasted only half an hour.
Live-fire exercises near another country are rare and are usually conducted with prior notification. As The Guardian notes, such actions are legitimate if proper safety warnings are issued.
Read more Three planes flying to Vilnius diverted to other airports: explained what happened
This latest incident is the second time in recent weeks that a Russian warship has been recorded escorting a so-called ‘shadow fleet’ tanker through the English Channel.
A Sky News helicopter also observed the ship ‘Neustrashimy’ when it was refuelled by another Russian naval vessel in the North Sea this month.
The warship ‘Neustrashimy’ appeared off the British coast earlier this month, replacing the ‘Admiral Grigorovich’, which had been on a long-term three-month mission, typically focused in the English Channel or the North Sea.
15min reminds that last month its predecessor, ‘Admiral Grigorovich’, fired warning shots at a yacht carrying an elderly British couple.
In the same month, the captain of another Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker was detained in the United Kingdom and charged with sanctions violations.
Read more Traditional Rain: Record Downpours Don’t Wash Away the Success of Pumpėnai Festival
