Ireland’s Department of Transport has issued a Marine Notice which advises of “serious safety risks” for vessels off the Cork coast from next week due to plans by the Russian military to conduct live-fire exercises.

Published 3 years ago

Update 31 January, 2022

The Russian Government gave in to appeals by Irish fisherman and have cancelled miliatry exercises off the Irish coast as a gesture of “good will”. Read more in the CNN article.

Original News Report:

Concerns have been raised over what has been termed as a “major” military exercise by the Russian navy and air force, which will take place in international waters in the Atlantic in early February.

The “live-fire” exercise is scheduled to take place about 240km off County Cork, southern Ireland, but within Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone, as reported in Afloat.ie magazine.

Irish Maritime Administration’s Marine Notice No 06 of 2022  (see link below) provides coordinates of the area where the naval manoeuvres will be conducted between Thursday 3 and Tuesday 8 February, 2022.

“The Russian Federation has indicated that the exercises will include the use of naval artillery and launching of rockets,” the notice emphasises.

“Given the nature of the planned exercises and the presence of naval forces, vessels and crew are advised of serious safety risks in the operational area. Masters should navigate their vessel to ensure safety at all times.”

The notice comes as the Irish fishing fleet have been assured that their fishing grounds will not be affected by the military exercise. Concerns have also been expressed about the potential impact on marine wildlife in the area, including vulnerable deep-water whale species.

What has been termed as a “major” military exercise by the Russian navy and air force is part of a wave of planned military exercises around the world announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration and comes as tensions between Russia and NATO are at their peak surrounding fears of an invasion of Ukraine.

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Related News

• “Serious Safety Risks” Around Planned Russian Military Drills (Afloat.ie)
  
• Russia’s Plans for Missile Tests off Ireland Raise Concerns (Afloat.ie)
  
• Russian Military Drills to Go Ahead (The Moscow Times)
• Russian Military Exercise a Threat to Whales (BBC)
  

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Related Links

Marine Notice No 06 of 2022

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