The Royal Navy monitored a Russian warship’s live-fire military exercise about 40 nautical miles (46 miles) south of Plymouth, the UK Ministry of Defense said. According to the ministry, the Russian warship carried out a live-fire artillery exercise on July 20. "A Russian naval vessel shadowed by the Royal Navy conducted a live-fire weapons exercise in international waters approximately 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth yesterday. The Royal Navy monitored that exercise throughout, continues to track the vessel's activity closely, and stands ready to protect UK national security," a UK Ministry of Defense spokesperson was quoted by Sky News TV Channel as saying. The Russian naval ship then requested that HMS Tyne reposition to a safer distance, which it did, it said.