LONDON — A Russian warship fired warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday, prompting an investigation by British authorities, officials said.
The incident involved the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich and the British yacht Bright Future, carrying a retired couple, and occurred around 11:40 a.m. local time, about 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of the Isle of Wight in international waters.
Russia’s defence ministry said the yacht was on a “dangerous course” toward the warship. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to establish radio contact and the deployment of flares and sound signals, the frigate fired small arms warning shots across the yacht’s path when the vessels were about 150 meters apart, causing the yacht to change course.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the event and said it was investigating. A spokesperson stated that following attempts to contact the British vessel, the Grigorovich fired warning shots. Officials described the shots as not aimed directly at the yacht.
Jane and Alan Kelvey, the couple aboard the yacht, told the BBC the experience was “surreal.” They reported hearing horn blasts before the shots, which came from about 500 yards (457 meters) away, and said they quickly veered away. No damage or injuries were reported.
The event took place amid heightened tensions between the UK and Russia, including Britain’s recent seizure of a Russian-linked tanker. However, both sides characterised the incident as an isolated near-miss, possibly influenced by foggy conditions and the warship’s manoeuvres. A Royal Navy vessel, HMS Mersey, was monitoring nearby.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the Russian crew’s actions “reckless.”
The Russian frigate was transiting the Channel as part of routine movements. No further incidents have been reported, and the yacht continued its journey. British authorities continue to assess the circumstances, while Russia has defended the actions as necessary to prevent a collision.
