Warning shots from a Russian warship jolted a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel, bringing a flash of geopolitical tension to one of Europe’s busiest stretches of water.
The episode happened at about 11.40am and is understood to have involved the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich in waters between the Isle of Wight and Normandy.
The confrontation offers the latest indication of fraying relations between the UK and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government.
No one was hurt, and the yacht was not damaged, according to initial reports.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said it opened fire with warning shots after the yacht made what it described as a “dangerous approach” in the English Channel.
According to the ministry, the yacht changed direction and moved off after the frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired the shots, following unsuccessful efforts to make radio contact.
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Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it was examining reports of an incident in the channel near territorial waters.
Royal Navy vessels routinely track Russian warships as they transit the English Channel, and offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey was shadowing the Admiral Grigorovich when the incident unfolded.
A boat from HMS Tyne, another patrol vessel, was dispatched to the yacht to collect information and make sure those on board were safe.
Officials are treating it as a standalone event, with no connection to Sunday’s UK operation in which Royal Marines and National Crime Agency officers boarded the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos in the channel.
Britain’s Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge called the incident “very concerning” and said the UK should “be in no doubt that Russia poses a direct threat”.
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman James MacClearly said: “Reports of a Russian warship firing warning shots in the English Channel are deeply concerning.
“Russia is quite literally on our doorstep. Aggression and intimidation in our waters must not be tolerated.”
Britain’s backing for Ukraine, along with sanctions designed to undermine Mr Putin’s ability to fund his 2022 invasion, has helped drive a deeper chill in ties with Moscow.
The seizure of the Smyrtos marked the first operation of its kind by British forces, though the UK had previously supported allies taking action against sanctioned tankers.
The tanker’s captain, whose vessel was carrying 98,000 tonnes of oil, appeared in court today accused of breaching sanctions.
Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old Indian national, is charged with directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country, contrary to Regulation 46Z9B of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
He appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court by video link from Bournemouth police station for a preliminary hearing, during which he confirmed his name and date of birth and gave an address in India.
Additional reporting Reuters
