Marek Kutarba: China showed Great Britain how to shoot off the coast of Great Britain with impunity

A Russian warship, identified as the frigate "Neustrashimy," conducted live-fire exercises in international waters near Plymouth, United Kingdom. The crew informed of the firing only shortly before opening fire, a departure from the standard 12- to 24-hour advance notice typically given for such maneuvers under international maritime standards.

The incident is being interpreted as a Kremlin demonstration, potentially timed to coincide with the assumption of office by the new UK prime minister. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia conducts all its exercises and ship operations in accordance with international law. He added that Moscow would "certainly take into account" the new prime minister's declaration of unconditional support for Ukraine, formally denying a direct link between the exercises and the change in leadership while implying a connection.

“

Russia conducts all its exercises and ship operations in accordance with international and maritime law, so there is no reason to look for any signals in this.

Despite the official denial, the timing and nature of the exercises suggest a deliberate attempt to intimidate the British public. The underlying aim may be to reinforce the perception that challenging Moscow is futile and to bolster domestic movements in the UK advocating for greater distance from the Ukraine conflict and a softer stance towards Russia.

This is not the first such incident. In June, a Russian ship fired warning shots at a yacht carrying a retired couple. Such events are expected to become more frequent as Russia appears to be learning from tactics employed by the Chinese navy. The Chinese navy previously conducted sudden live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea with less than 12 hours' notice, disrupting air traffic and demonstrating a similar assertive approach in international waters.

“

the assumption of office by the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, and his declaration of unconditional support for Ukraine, Moscow will "certainly take into account".