The decision by Russia air force exercises, which include live firing of missiles and other armaments, off the west coast of Cork next month has become a serious topic of concern for Ireland. Naval exercises (practicing shooting/firing for war) and firing practices are part of the regular training requirements of all military forces, including the Irish navy.
The exercise will take place in part of Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone. This area may be described as a territorial sea over which the coastal state has rights over economic resources. It means that naval forces have the right to conduct military exercises.
Russia has notified Ireland due to the intended use of missiles that may impact on the safety of air navigation in particular. This is standard practice for all naval forces when conducting live firing exercises.
Exercises and manoeuvres by naval and other military’s are recognized as being a part of the freedom of the high seas and are governed by United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
A number of coastal states have attempted to challenge this prevailing view by submitting declarations against foreign military exercises, involving weapons or explosives, in their respective Exclusive Economic Zones without their consent. However, these efforts failed.
The law on Exclusive Economic Zones
1. In the exclusive economic zone, all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy, subject to the relevant provisions of this Convention, the freedoms referred to in article 87 of navigation and overflight …. and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms.
3.States shall have due regard to the rights and duties of the coastal State and shall comply with the laws and regulations adopted by the coastal State in accordance with the provisions of this Convention and other rules of international law.
It is worth realizing that military exercises of this nature may require the creation of an exclusion zone. Any interference with fishing vessels that habitually operate in a particular area could constitute an unlawful infringement of Ireland’s rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Russian Embassy of federation tell fishermen to ‘refrain from any provocative actions’
The Russian Embassy in Dublin has urged fishermen in the southwest to “refrain from any provocative actions” when the exercises by the Russian Navy off the Irish coast start.
Representatives from the Irish South and West Fish Producers Association met with Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov yesterday to talk about concerns about the potential curtailment or wiping out of catches due to the drills which are due to take place over five days next week, 260km off the coast.
Around 60 Irish fishing vessels are planning to fish in the area close to where the Russian military exercises are going to be going on.
Is this a threat to Ireland?
It may not be such a threat to humans at the moment but it is surely a big threat to the wildlife surrounding Ireland. Because of all the bombs and firing Russian is going to be doing there will be a huge drop of sea animals such as wales,dolphins orca’s etc. The firing will most definitely hit at least 5 of these mammals as they live and swim at the east coast of Ireland where the Russians are shooting.
What is my opinion on this?
I know that there are many people that live in Ireland afraid of what will happen next. Ireland is a neutral country so we do not have any good weapons or armour whatsoever so we are a very easy target. Yet in my opinion there isn’t a need to be worried. If there will ever be a war Ireland will most diffidently be the last country and country will want to invade/fight. Ireland isn’t a rich country but not a poor one either but there are a lot of more countries a lot more richer than ours and that have a lot more loot. Yes, it is dangerous that Russia is practicing firing near the west coastal of Cork but it shouldn’t affect Ireland as a country.
Information gotten from: https://www.rte.ie/
