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The incident comes as tension rises in the Channel after the UK seized a Russian-linked oil tanker at the weekend, as ITV News’ Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen, Correspondent Geraint Vincent and Political Editor Robert Peston explain
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said it was “reckless” for a Russian warship to fire warning shots near a yacht in the English Channel, but stressed that there was no sign it was anything “more sinister” than a drifting vessel.
The shots were fired near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel to “prevent a possible collision”, the Ministry of Defence said.
The incident, which occurred around 11.40am on Tuesday, involved the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich in the sea between the Isle of White and Normandy.
Jane Kelvey, 68, and her husband Alan, 70, were on their 40ft yacht, Bright Future, travelling from the south coast of England towards France when shots were fired several times.
“It was a bit scary,” Mrs Kelvey told The i Paper. “I crouched down. I didn’t think our safety was in danger. But it was certainly unusual. As we sailed away, we said to each other, what the hell just happened?” The Russian defence ministry said the yacht had been on a “dangerous approach” and the warning shots were fired after attempting to draw the attention of the yacht’s crew through signal flares and sound signals.
It said the Russian sailors had acted “in strict accordance” with international shipping regulations.
Jane Kelvey, 68, who was on the yacht with her husband Alan, 70, insisted they were not on a collision course, and Mr Kelvey described the Russian statement as “just normal lies”.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, a former Royal Navy weapons engineer officer reacts to the couple’s comments, which were aired on BBC’s Newsnight
The Ministry of Defence said the Russian vessel fired warning shots after making attempts to contact the yacht, which was about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside the UK’s territorial waters.An MoD spokesperson said: “These (shots) were not aimed at the vessel and were an attempt to prevent a possible collision.”
The warship had been drifting rather than being manoeuvred under power, it is understood.
“Following attempts to contact a British vessel in the channel, the Grigorovich fired warning shots,” an MoD spokesperson said.
“These were not aimed at the vessel and were an attempt to prevent a possible collision.
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“We assess that this is an isolated incident and not linked to the UK’s interception of the Smyrtos this weekend. HMS Mersey has been monitoring the Russian vessel and support has been provided to the crew of the yacht.”
Mrs Kelvey, who retired in 2023 alongside her husband, said the shots were “totally unnecessary”, adding: “We didn’t have any contact from them (Admiral Grigorovich) on our radio.”
A translation of a statement posted on the Telegram channel for the Russian Ministry of Defence said the yacht had been on a “dangerous approach” and the ship fired warning shots after attempting to draw the attention of the yacht’s crew through signal flares and sound signals.
It said its sailors had acted “in strict accordance” with international shipping regulations.
The Russian statement identified the vessel involved as the Bright Future – a 12-metre-long sailing yacht which was en route to Cherbourg, France.
Russian warships passing through the English Channel are routinely shadowed by the Royal Navy, with offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey monitoring the Admiral Grigorovich on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Royal Marine commandos and officers from the NCA boarded sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos in the Channel. Credit: Ministry of Defence
A seaboat from HMS Tyne, another patrol vessel, was sent to the yacht to gather details and check on the safety of the crew.
The incident comes amid rising tensions between the UK and Moscow.
On Sunday, Royal Marine commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency boarded the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker, Smyrtos, in the channel.
Earlier, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said Tuesday’s incident was “very concerning” and declared that the UK should “be in no doubt that Russia poses a direct threat”.
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman James MacClearly also called the incident “deeply concerning”.
“Russia is quite literally on our doorstep. Aggression and intimidation in our waters must not be tolerated,” MacClearly said.
The UK’s support for Ukraine and sanctions aimed at crippling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to finance his 2022 invasion have contributed to deteriorating relations between the two nations.
The seizure of the Smyrtos was the first such action by British forces, but the UK had previously helped allies in targeting other sanctioned tankers.
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