A Russian warship fired warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday after the vessel reportedly drifted too close in poor weather conditions.
The incident occurred at about 11:40 a.m. BST in waters between the Isle of Wight and the coast of Normandy, France. The yacht, which had set off from the United Kingdom, reportedly lost control in foggy conditions and drifted towards the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.
According to reports, the Russian warship first issued audible warnings to alert those on board the yacht. When the vessel failed to move away, warning shots were fired from a distance of about 500 yards. No injuries were reported, and the yacht was not damaged.
The incident happened around 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside British territorial waters. British authorities were alerted by those on board the yacht, while the UK Ministry of Defence said it was investigating the reports.
Officials do not currently believe the incident was linked to a separate operation carried out by British forces days earlier. On Sunday, Royal Marine Commandos intercepted a Russian-linked tanker carrying sanctioned oil through the English Channel, marking the first military operation of its kind by the UK.
Russian naval vessels regularly pass through the Channel and are routinely monitored by the Royal Navy. The Admiral Grigorovich was reportedly being tracked by British patrol ships, including HMS Mersey and HMS Tyne, as part of routine surveillance operations.
The frigate has attracted attention in recent months due to its role in escorting vessels associated with Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of ships used to transport oil and other goods despite international sanctions.
NATO sources previously claimed the warship had been tasked with escorting these vessels through the Channel. The frigate is also believed to have remained at sea for extended periods with support from a Russian repair and supply ship, allowing it to continue operations in European waters.
Although British officials are treating Tuesday’s encounter as an isolated maritime incident, it comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The event highlights the increasing military activity in one of the world’s busiest waterways and the growing sensitivity surrounding Russian naval operations near Europe.
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