Russian frigate fires warning shots at British yacht in Channel – reports

The Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots within 500 metres of a British yacht sailing a little over 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight.

No injuries or damage have been reported by the yacht, which is continuing its journey. A boat from HMS Tyne has visited the yacht to gather details and check the crew are safe.

The incident comes a few days after the UK seized a Russia-linked oil tanker off the coast of the Isle of Wight, the first time British forces have led the seizure of a sanctioned vessel since the start of the war against Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence said: “We are investigating reports of an incident in the Channel”. However, defence sources said they were viewing this an isolated episode, not linked to the UK interception of the Smyrtos.