RUSSIA SAYS AH, FRIGATE!

Relief as wargames are to move away from Irish waters

RUSSIA is to relocate planned military drills outside Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone, the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister confirmed last night.

Simon Coveney said Russia will not now carry out its naval exercises 240km off the Cork coast as initially planned.

In a tweet welcoming the move Mr Coveney said he had received assurances from Russian Army General Sergey Shoygu about the controversial missile drills.

He said: “This week I wrote to the Minister of Defence of Russia to request a reconsideration of naval exercises off the Irish coast. This evening I received a letter confirming the Russian exercises will be relocated outside of Ireland’s EEZ. I welcome this response.” Earlier Independent TD and former army ranger Cathal Berry said the “live fire exercise” by Russia could pose a risk to the world’s highest capacity underwater cable connecting Europe and North America.

Before last night’s update the military drill had been set to take place in international waters – but within Ireland’s EEZ sparking opposition from fishermen.

Mr Coveney said he had written to General Shoygu outlining his concerns over the exercises by a foreign military in the context of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

It is not yet known where the exercises will take place but Mr Coveney said that is now a matter for the Russians, adding: “This is a good result for diplomacy.”

Russian exercises will be relocated outside of Ireland’s EEZ, I welcome the response SIMON COVENEY YESTERDAY ON THE RUSSIAN MOVE

CHANGE COURSE Russia has agreed to move its wargames