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.
The Royal Navy monitored the exercise and is tracking “the vessel’s activity closely”, a 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.
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The live-fire exercise took place in international waters and lasted for 30 minutes.
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The Russian frigate was also being monitored by a French military aircraft which made radio contact with the warship asking it to clarify its intentions, the BBC has been told.
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The incident will be a reminder for the new prime minister of increased Russian naval activity near UK waters in recent months.
Last month, Royal Marine Commandos boarded a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the English Channel in a six-hour operation which was the first of its kind by UK armed forces.
Also in June, a British couple in international waters in the English Channel came across a Russian warship - Admiral Grigorovich - 23 miles off the Isle of Wight.
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