Russian warship fires warning shot at yacht in English Channel

A Russian frigate has been accused of firing at a yacht sailing in the English Channel today, leading to an MoD investigation.

Sailors on the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich are said to have fired warning shots at a yacht that came near it this morning.

The incident happened at about 11.40am, and is understood to have involved the frigate, according to the Press Association.

The shots were reported in the sea between the Isle of Wight and Normandy.

Ministry of Defence said it is aware and is investigating reports of an incident.

The UK-registered yacht has claimed that the Russian warship fired warning shots from around 500 yards while the vessels were 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight.

No damage or injuries were reported, it is understood.

Metro has approached the MoD for more information.

Tensions have been rising in the waterway after Royal Marines stopped a Russian shadow fleet tanker over the weekend.

Commandos seized the tanker on Sunday after the vessel was suspected of circumventing the sanctions placed on Russia.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Armed Forces intercepted a shadow fleet oil tanker trying to pass through the Channel.

He said on X: ‘This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.’

The UK territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from the coast, beyond which commercial and warships are allowed to move through uninterrupted.

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