The Russian frigate "Admiral Grigorovich" opened warning fire at a British civilian yacht in the English Channel after the vessels came dangerously close. The incident occurred outside UK territorial waters, and no injuries were reported. This was reported by UNN with reference to The Telegraph.
According to the publication, the UK Coastguard received a report from a British vessel that was near the Russian frigate "Admiral Grigorovich" in the English Channel.
The incident occurred around 11:40 local time on Tuesday, approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight.
As reported by sources for The Telegraph, a private British yacht was drifting toward the Russian ship. The frigate's crew warned the vessel several times to change course, but the yacht continued to close in.
Following this, the Russian ship fired warning shots.
According to preliminary information, no one was injured, the yacht sustained no damage and continued its route. A boat from the British patrol ship HMS Tyne was dispatched to the civilian vessel to check the situation.
The publication notes that the "Admiral Grigorovich," which is part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has been near British waters for several weeks. It was previously spotted escorting the so-called "shadow fleet" of Russian oil tankers, as well as near a wind farm off the coast of Suffolk.
On Monday, the Royal Navy patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Tyne monitored the movement of the Russian frigate in the English Channel.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that they are examining the circumstances of the event.
"We are investigating reports of an incident in the English Channel," a British defense official stated.
According to military sources, the incident is not related to the recent operation by British security forces regarding the Russian tanker Smyrtos, which is considered part of the Russian "shadow fleet."