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A Russian warship has carried out a live-fire weapons exercise in international waters about 40 nautical miles (46 miles) south of the UK coast, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The exercise took place on Monday near Plymouth while the Russian vessel was being closely monitored by the Royal Navy's HMS Tyne.
An MoD spokesperson said the Royal Navy observed the live-fire drill throughout the operation and continues to monitor the ship's movements, adding that UK forces remain ready to protect the country's national security.
Before beginning the exercise, the Russian warship informed HMS Tyne of its plans to conduct artillery firing and requested that the British patrol vessel move to a safer distance. HMS Tyne complied with the request, and the military exercise lasted around 30 minutes in international waters.
The Russian vessel, identified as the Neustrashimy, has been escorting Russian "shadow fleet" tankers through the English Channel. It is the second Russian warship to perform this role in recent weeks.
Last month, another Russian warship, the Admiral Grigorovich, reportedly fired warning shots at a British couple who were sailing a yacht in the area.
