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MoD investigating reports Russian warship fired warning shots near yacht in Channel
🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Conflict & Security

MoD investigating reports Russian warship fired warning shots near yacht in Channel

From BBC News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The UK Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that a Russian frigate fired warning shots near a British yacht in the English Channel.
  • The incident occurred outside UK territorial waters, approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, and no injuries or damage were reported.
  • The frigate, identified as the Admiral Grigorovich, has been operating in the area for months and was reportedly being shadowed by a Royal Navy vessel.

The Ministry of Defence is probing claims that a Russian warship fired warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel. The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday morning between the Isle of Wight and Normandy.

Sources indicate the Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired shots from about 500 yards away. Fortunately, the yacht sustained no damage and its occupants were unharmed. The incident occurred outside of UK territorial waters, roughly 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight.

While the Ministry of Defence is investigating, British officials currently do not believe this event is connected to other recent Russian naval activities. Russian warships frequently transit the Channel and are typically monitored by the Royal Navy. The Admiral Grigorovich had been under surveillance by HMS Mersey and HMS Tyne over the weekend as part of routine operations.

This incident occurs amid heightened tensions between the UK and Russia, largely due to the UK's continued support for Ukraine. The Admiral Grigorovich has been observed escorting Russian "shadow fleet" vessels through the Channel in recent months, with a support vessel, the PM-82, reportedly resupplying it to enable extended operations.

We are investigating reports of an incident in the Channel.

— Ministry of Defence spokespersonResponding to the reports of the incident involving the Russian frigate and the UK yacht.
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Originally published by BBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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