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A Russian warship, shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel, carried out a live-fire artillery exercise just 46 miles (74km) south of Plymouth on Monday, as Andy Burnham was taking office as the new British prime minister. The Royal Navy monitored the exercise and is tracking "the vessel's activity closely", a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said. The BBC has been told that, prior to opening fire, Russian frigate Neustrashimy (English: Dauntless) had informed the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMS Tyne, of its intention to conduct gunnery activity. Newly appointed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called the exercise "performative and irresponsible". The Kremlin has signalled there was no link between the exercise and Andy Burnham taking office as prime minister. "All [military] exercises and all actions undertaken by our warships are carried out in strict compliance with international and maritime law," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told BBC News. "Therefore, there is no need to see any signals in this," he said. However, Peskov added that Burnham had sent signals to Russia, saying: "One of the first things the new British prime minister did as he took office was to declare his unconditional support for Ukraine and, accordingly, declare the UK's intention to continue doing everything it possibly can to continue the war."

Andy Burnham is the new British prime minister. He was appointed at an audience with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace at lunchtime on Monday (20 July). On Friday, Burnham was unanimously declared leader of the Labour Party. Just before taking office, Burnham declared his full support for Ukraine. He said he will speak on the phone with president Zelenkiy later in the day to assure him of continued UK support for Ukraine.. Greeted by cheers and applause as he arrived at Number 10 Downing Street to make his maiden speech, Mr Burnham said he was “acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last ten years to walk up this street, the seventh prime minister since 2016.” Describing the moment as an opportunity for reflection, he said his generation of politicians needed to raise their game. “Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability again,” he said. “I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you, and I want to be honest with you,” he continued, “We have not been good enough and we need to be better.” Earlier, the Palace issued a formal notice saying Mr Burnham, 56, had met with the king and was requested to form a new administration. “Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,” the notice said. Mr Burnham is the UK’s seventh prime minister in ten years - and the fifth in the last four years - after Borris Johnson left office in September 2022.