Russian frigate fires warning shots on civilian yacht in the English Channel

The UK Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that a Russian naval frigate fired warning shots on a yacht in the English Channel after it approached the vessel.

Source: European Pravda, citing the BBC

Details: The incident, which reportedly occurred at around 11:40 on Tuesday 16 June between the Isle of Wight and Normandy, is believed to have involved the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.

The UK Coastguard received a report from a British-flagged civilian yacht sailing near the Russian warship. According to the yacht's crew, Admiral Grigorovich fired a warning shot after the two vessels passed close to one another in the English Channel.

No one was injured in the incident, and the yacht sustained no damage. A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence said the department was investigating the reports.

The frigate, which belongs to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, has been operating near British waters for several weeks. It has previously been spotted escorting shadow fleet tankers and loitering near an offshore wind farm off the coast of Suffolk.

In a separate statement published on Monday 15 June, the Royal Navy said that two British vessels had been monitoring Admiral Grigorovich in the English Channel west of Brest.

Background:

• The incident follows Sunday's interception by British forces of the Russian shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos, the first such operation carried out by the UK. The interception in the English Channel was conducted in close coordination with France. The vessel will remain anchored off the south coast of England while inspections are carried out to assess environmental and safety risks.
• In March, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies of the UK will be able to intercept and detain sanctioned vessels from Russia's shadow fleet transiting through British waters.
• In April, media reports said that Admiral Grigorovich escorted two oil tankers sanctioned by the UK through the English Channel. Commenting on the reports, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russia had the right to defend itself against what he described as "piracy", referring to the UK government's policy of intercepting shadow fleet vessels.

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