Russian frigate Neustrashimy conducts live-fire exercise 40 nm off Portsmouth, UK

Published Jul 21, 06:31 AM UTC

The Russian frigate Neustrashimy conducted a live-fire gunnery exercise approximately 40 nautical miles from Portsmouth, England, while under observation by the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Tyne. The exercise lasted around 30 minutes, with the Russian warship notifying nearby shipping and the shadowing British vessel to move to a safer distance, following standard international practice. The Neustrashimy, a Project 11540 frigate commissioned in 1993, recently arrived in the area after being seen near Felixstowe on 17 July taking on fuel from a Russian supply ship. Its appearance follows the departure of another Russian frigate, Admiral Grigorovich, which had been active in the Channel. Russian warships have maintained a near-continuous presence in UK waters for months, escorting strategic vessels. The exercise occurred on the same day as a change of government in London, with Sir Keir Starmer resigning and Andy Burnham forming a new administration, and amid a UK crackdown on the Russian shadow fleet, including the seizure of a tanker for alleged sanctions violations.