The Russian Navy is perfectly entitled to hold an exercise in the Bay of Biscay and fire tactical missiles as part of a robust test of Moscow’s military might.

However, any public demonstration of Russia’s prowess these days has to be seen through a different political prism. What are the Russians really trying to say? Is this more than muscle flexing? Why involve Tupolev strategic Bear bombers over international waters off the west coast of France and the northern coast of Spain? What’s President Vladimir Putin up to now?

This latest display has as much to do with Mr Putin’s displeasure with Nato and its dominant member, the United States, as it has to do with checking that all the elements of a Russian Navy battle group can function effectively.

Although the Russians are still keen to play their part in improving relations with the alliance by attending the regular consultation meetings at Nato headquarters in Brussels, Mr Putin has made it clear he is opposed to at least three of the West’s policies: Nato’s continuing expansion, the US plan to install anti-missile interceptors in Poland and radar-tracking systems in the Czech Republic, and the alliance’s support for an independent Kosovo.

Rattling sabres in the Bay of Biscay is just one way of expressing Moscow’s irritation and exasperation, and, perhaps more intentionally, to remind the US and her partners in Nato that Russia has a sizeable military capability. Gone are the days when the Russian fleet was largely tied up in port, unable to carry out its Cold War strategy of roaming the high seas in competition with the US and the rest of Nato.

Richer and better organised, and with a leader determined not to be pushed around by anyone, Russia will be viewing the exercise, led by its flagship aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, with some pride, a commodity found wanting for so long after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

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