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THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR to Ireland has downplayed concerns about planned Russian missile tests in international waters off the Irish coast.
Yury Filatov told reporters at a press briefing this evening that this is a “non-story” and that there are “no grounds for concern” for Ireland in relation to the exercises.
The Journal reported on Saturday that the Irish government had received a warning of a major exercise by the Russian navy and air force in the Atlantic off the south west coast planned for the first week of February.
The Russian ambassador said he doesn’t see “any reason” to change the planned exercises.
“It takes much time to put together, it’s an effort and I don’t see any reason to change it,” he said.
“It’s a small exercise actually maybe three or four ships, not more. There is nothing really to be disturbed, concerned or anguished about and I have extensively explained that to our Irish colleagues.”
The ambassador told journalists this evening that “there are no problems” or reasons for concern over the planned tests.
He read from a prepared text and took a number of questions from reporters, reiterating that it was a routine event and dismissing news reports as ‘hoopla’.
“These exercises are part of the yearly plan for naval activity for 2022, which is an upstanding procedure with the Russian navy as well as with other navies,” Filatov said.
“The exercises have been duly notified to the Irish authorities whose rules pertaining to the safety of air and maritime traffic will be strictly followed.”
He said these exercises are held on a regular basis in this area off the coast “conducted not only by Russia but by other countries as well”.
“No problem is expected,” he said. “All that has been communicated to our colleagues at the Department of Foreign Affairs.”
Security sources have told The Journal that US Naval Aircraft have been patrolling off the south coast of Ireland in the last 24 hours.
The area concerned is a relatively small area of water that is approximately 240 kilometres off the Irish coast. The area is in international waters but is within Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone and is patrolled by Irish Naval ships and Air Corps Casa aircraft.
Coveney said this morning that he will brief his EU counterparts on these planned Russian military exercises.
“That is in international waters but it is also part of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Ireland. And so we don’t have the power to prevent this happening,” he said.
But certainly, I’ve made it clear to the Russian ambassador in Ireland, that it’s not welcome. This isn’t a time to increase military activity and tension in the context of what’s happening with and in Ukraine at the moment. And so I think it’s important that I would brief my colleagues on those intentions.
The Russian ambassador said that Ireland wasn’t the choice for these exercises, but this is the space for naval training for other areas, including Russia.
“There is no Irish connection here whatsoever,” he said.
He also said he does not believe there will be any harm to infrastructure, marine life, air traffic or maritime traffic as a result of the exercises.
He added that there is “nothing surprising, nothing sensational” about the military exercises.
Yury Filatov also said Russia has “no plans” to attack Ukraine or any other country.
He accused the US and Nato countries’ focus “on this invasion scenario” as being an attempt to frame the “really important issue” of European security in a false way.
Additional reporting by Orla Dwyer.
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Respect!
To defend an outpost with 150 men and no walls against thousands of armed attackers and have no fatalities….must be one of the greatest battles of the century, if not longer!
Wonderful idea….they deserve it and more.
The Defense Forces of today should count themselves lucky that they won’t have to go through what them poor lads did,in the Congo .
The Irish Defence forces are serving in quite a few unstable regions as we speak, the Golan Heights alongside the current Syrian civil war comes to mind, all it takes is for a loose cannon rebel commander to decide to engage them or capture them and then they’ll be caught up in a siege of their own.
@Mr KnowitAll: Your comment is pure ignorance.
@mrknowitall you obviously don’t have a clue of what our troops deal with day to day overseas….
Christ you haven’t got a clue MrKnowItAll , there is about 130 troops in the Golan Heights on the border between Syria and Israel right now http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/heroic-irish-troops-rescue-filipino-4131748
@Martin Fahy: Still better than the Congo.
I read it as him referring to the fact these men were abandoned in their hour of need by their command at home and treated like traitors after their return. Which the defence forces don’t have to deal with today (as far as I know). . . . But I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, he probably is just being a dick.
Mr knowitall you’re a clown rest assured today’s men and women will perform if needed. Same sorof thing said about Brit Army since 45 but performed OK in Korea, Malaya, Cyprus, Adenn, Yeen, Falklabnds. Afghanistan etc.
The Irish Defence Forces are respected by other professional armies. As Paul said its a big world wide military family who slag each. Other without mercy.
Respect to the survivors. If possible I intend to be at Collins.
Mr know it all if Liam has it right my apologies.
Hardy men there
FFS they all have free travel !!!!!
@Celtic Druid: Hi there – this trip is allowing all of their families to travel with them so that they have all the support they need for what will no doubt be an emotional journey. So, yes, the survivors are likely in receipt of a travel pass because of their age but they mostly need help and it’s to make this a big occasion for them by having everyone they love there.
Every time I read this story I become more and more amazed that there were no fatalities. A true credit to the men who were involved.
Saw The Siege of Jadotville on Netflix last night and was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie.
What amazing men to hold their position with no support or backup.
The only cowards are the Irish Government and the UN.
Very pleased these men will finally receive the recognition for their heroic actions on October 22!!!!
Respect to these brave men.our soldiers should not be in the Golan heights belonging to Syria but taken by Israel,who in turn gave US oil companies permission to drill for oil,and that’s what it’s all about,resources and greed.government pull our troops.
To The Heroes of the Irish A-Company
You Are the true spirit of Good men, gentlemen, Courage and true fellowship.
I would gladly Walk In to a fire With Any One of you brave men.
You Can ALWAYS Walk Proud.
Becous you were commandet by poor LEADERSHIP and came Home as Brothers.
To Your family, friends and me
you Will Always Be true heros.
Former FireFighter from Denmark
With love.❤️
Tonni
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