An advanced Russian aircraft could have been accidentally destroyed by the very Russians trying to protect it, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) believes.

An A-50U MAINSTAY D aircraft was shot down on Friday 23 February over the territory of Krasnodar in the South of the Sea of Azov – possibly the latest incident involving friendly fire by Russia.

“There is a remote chance that the Russians inadvertently shot down their own aircraft while attempting to protect it,” the MOD said.

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“This is the second A-50 destroyed in as many months. Russia only began operating A-50 aircraft over the Sea of Azov in November 2023. On 14 January 2024, Ukraine successfully targeted an A-50 in that area,” wrote the MOD in its latest intelligence update.

“This forced Russian decision-makers to consider safer operating areas for the aircraft. This latest Ukrainian success has demonstrated a continued Russian inability to protect high-value air assets. It brings into question the efficacy of Russian air planners.

“The Russian Air Force will be able to cover the immediate loss of the A-50 because they have seven operational airframes remaining.

“Yet the loss of two experienced specialist mission crews in as many months is highly likely to induce further strain and combat fatigue on the remaining force if they are to sustain constant operations.”

The MOD believes the aftermath of this incident may cause the Russian Air Force to reconsider which areas to operate in.

Multiple incidents of Russian friendly fire have taken place this year, including Russia destroying one of its own advanced combat jets.

The most significant factors contributing to these repeated incidents are thought to be poor training combined with inexperienced crews.

This year will be the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, with a series of major commemorations and events planned across the UK and in France.

The Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944 were the largest seaborne invasion in history, and along with their associated airborne operations, marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe.

So, what events are on and how can you get involved?

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Portsmouth

The city, which was the launch pad for the invasion, is to lead the UK’s national commemorations with an event on 5 June.

Surviving D-Day veterans, military past and present, along with VIPs and dignitaries will all be in attendance.

The ceremonies will take place on a purpose-built stage constructed on Southsea Common, complete with military musicians and a Royal Air Force flypast.

Thousands of members of the public are invited to attend.

More information on how to register to attend can be found on the gov.uk D-Day 80 website.

British Normandy Memorial

The Royal British Legion (RBL) has opened registration for veterans of the Normandy campaign to attend the British event, hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), at the British Normandy Memorial.

A public ballot for attendance at this event will also take place, subject to event capacity.

Full details are available at rbl.org.uk/dday80.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery

Normandy veterans, family members and their descendants are also invited to register to attend the RBL commemorative events at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery on 5 June.

Full details at rbl.org.uk/dday80.

National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

On Thursday 6 June at 14:00 UK time, the RBL will host a Remembrance Service, for the public and veterans who are not able to travel to Normandy, to mark 80 years since D-Day within the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum.

Entry into this area must be booked in advance and is subject to availability.

To register your interest to attend this element of the day the registration form must be completed by 23:59 on 28 March.

Click here for the registration form.

Ministry of Defence commemorative events

In October 2023, the MOD announced a series of commemorative events to take place in Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

These will include major events at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery, the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer and at Bayeux Cathedral.

Further details and information on how to register interest in the events will be announced on the D-Day 80 website in due course.

There has been progress in building the Royal Navy’s new anti-submarine frigates and any slippage may be “clawed back” as the project recovers from the pandemic, a defence minister of state has said.

The Earl of Minto, representing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the House of Lords, emphasised the progress in the Type 26 frigate programme and praised the “remarkable” investment at the BAE Systems shipyard in Govan, Glasgow.

Last week, the Earl visited HMS Cardiff, the second Type 26 frigate being built in Glasgow.

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According to reports, HMS Cardiff is expected to be taken down the Clyde in the second half of this year before being fitted out in Scotstoun, where the first ship of the class – HMS Glasgow – is currently having its systems installed.

The frigates are expected to begin their service with the Navy starting in October 2028, a year later than initially planned.

‘Claw back’ losses

Asked if there had been any change in the latest deadlines, the Earl of Minto said: “There was obviously some slippage from the initial deadlines and that was driven by Covid.

“But I don’t think there’s been any change. In fact, if anything, they are trying to claw back some of those initial losses.

“Actually having gone through what we’ve seen today, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they don’t succeed in doing that.”

A new enclosed hall is currently being built next to BAE’s existing facility and work on the frigates is expected to speed up considerably once it is complete.

Conservative peer Timothy Lariston Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound said BAE has made a “quite remarkable” investment in the Glasgow shipyard and Scotland has an “extremely important” role in naval shipbuilding.

Earlier in February, the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth was unable to sail on a major Nato exercise after a defect in its propeller shaft coupling was discovered.

Repairs will be carried out at the dockyard in Rosyth, Fife, but the Earl of Minto said the problem is not currently believed to be as serious as the propeller shaft issues that led to nine months of work on its sister aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

The Royal Navy’s new frigate HMS Venturer is to be affiliated with Essex – the first time in 30 years the county will have a ship to call its own.

Civic leaders have agreed to be affiliated with the Type 31 frigate – currently under construction in Scotland – linking the warship with more than 1.8m people in the county, from Chigwell to Colchester and Braintree to Basildon.

The decision for HMS Venturer to be bound with Essex stemmed from initial inquiries from community leaders in Southend-on-Sea, joining the Worship Company of Ironmongers, which is already affiliated with the new warship.

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“It is wonderful that HMS Venturer is affiliated with the county of Essex,” said Commander Chris Cozens, the frigate’s Senior Naval Officer.

“The rich naval and maritime history combined with its modern outlook is a fitting choice for a ‘Next Generation Frigate’.

“We both share a focus on community outreach, linking the sea to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and industry to benefit our national prosperity.”

Affiliations between warships and local communities are a time-honoured tradition, serving as symbols of unity and mutual support.

While most warships are affiliated with specific towns, cities, or boroughs, there are occasions where this bond extends to entire counties.

Examples of such affiliations include the current frigates HMS Kent and Sutherland, each of which is linked with the county bearing the same name.

HMS Venturer is named in honour of the pioneering submarine that achieved the historic milestone of successfully torpedoing and sinking an enemy vessel while both crafts were submerged.

The Royal Navy is expecting the delivery of the first five Type 31 frigates by 2028, with each vessel costing £250m.

Set to replace the Type 23 frigates, the new Type 31s are a crucial part of the Government’s strategy to bolster the Royal Navy’s fleet of warships in the years ahead.