LONDON — A Russian warship fired warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday, according to statements from Russia's Defence Ministry and Britain's Ministry of Defence.
The Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired the shots in foggy conditions about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters, after the yacht Bright Future, carrying a retired British couple, approached on a course the Russian side described as dangerous, officials said.
No injuries were reported. The UK-flagged vessel, sailed by Jane and Alan Kelvey, changed course after the warning shots were fired from small arms across its bow, the Russian ministry said. Earlier attempts to contact the yacht by radio and warning flares had been made, according to accounts from both sides.
"It was surreal," Jane Kelvey told the BBC, describing the incident. The couple reached France safely afterward.
Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Russian warship fired warning shots following unsuccessful attempts to contact the British vessel, describing the action as an attempt to prevent a possible collision.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the yacht had followed a dangerous course and that the crew of the Admiral Grigorovich acted in line with international maritime regulations.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the UK and Russia, including recent naval activities in the Channel related to shadow fleet operations, though officials described the event as an isolated maritime safety matter.
Local authorities and maritime experts noted that such close encounters in busy shipping lanes underscore the need for clear communication at sea. The yacht was not powered by its engine at the time and had drifted close, according to reports.
No further incidents have been reported, and both governments indicated the matter was resolved without escalation. The Atlantic hurricane season reference in the query appears unrelated to this maritime event.
