A British yacht reportedly faced warning shots from a Russian warship in the English Channel to prevent a potential collision, according to defense sources. The incident occurred between the Isle of Wight and Normandy on Tuesday morning around 11:40 am. The involved vessels were the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich and a UK-registered civilian yacht.
Allegedly, the crew on the British yacht contacted French authorities claiming that the Russian Navy vessel fired warning shots from an approximate distance of 500 yards. The shots were discharged about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters. In response, British and French vessels were activated, with HMS Mersey monitoring the Admiral Grigorovich during the event.
HMS Tyne dispatched a boat to the yacht to collect information and ensure the crew’s safety. While investigations are ongoing, defense sources mentioned by Sky News suggested that the shots were a precautionary measure to prevent a collision as the frigate may have experienced maneuvering difficulties, possibly due to engine issues.
The defense source clarified that the shots were not aimed at the yacht but were intended as a warning signal, which was deemed appropriate. The yacht did not report any injuries or damages and is continuing its voyage. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson stated that they are looking into the incident.
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that the warship fired shots as a preemptive measure due to the yacht coming dangerously close to colliding with the Admiral Grigorovich, narrowing the gap to just 150 meters. Amid escalating tensions between the UK and Russia, the incident is not believed to be related to the interception of the Russian tanker Smyrtos by British forces days earlier.
An expert in security management cautioned against immediately linking the two events, emphasizing the standard protocol for warships to use escalating force warnings when approached by other vessels. The Admiral Grigorovich, part of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, has been observed near British waters in recent times, potentially to provoke nearby naval ships.
Labour MP Tan Dhesi mentioned that the incident is under investigation, highlighting the challenging global landscape and emphasizing Russia as a significant threat.
