The Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired warning shots at a UK-registered, motor-less yacht after the yacht drifted toward the warship in fog at about 11:40am BST, roughly 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight. The shots were reported to have been fired from around 500 yards away; there were no injuries or damage. The Ministry of Defence is investigating and the Royal Navy continues to monitor the area. NATO and satellite analysis indicate the frigate has been operating locally for months and has been resupplied at sea by the repair ship PM-82.
Russian Frigate Fires Warning Shots at UK-Registered Yacht in English Channel Near Isle of Wight
The incident on Tuesday involved a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich [Ministry of Defence]
A Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots at a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday after the small, motor-less vessel drifted toward the warship in foggy conditions.
What Happened
The encounter occurred at about 11:40am BST roughly 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, between the Isle of Wight and the Normandy coast. According to yacht occupants, the Russian frigate first sounded an audible warning and then fired warning shots from an estimated distance of about 500 yards (approximately 457 metres). There were no reported injuries or damage to the yacht.
[BBC]
Responses and Investigation
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "We are investigating reports of an incident in the Channel." British authorities said the event is being treated as a separate incident from a recent Royal Marine operation in the area. The Royal Navy routinely monitors Russian warships transiting the Channel; the frigate involved was reportedly being shadowed by HMS Mersey at the time.
Operational Context
Officials and Nato sources say the Admiral Grigorovich has operated in the region for several months. Satellite imagery reviewed by BBC Verify shows a repair ship, PM-82, operating between the Channel and the North Sea; Nato officials say PM-82 supplied food, water and other provisions to allow the frigate to remain at sea for extended periods and to escort so-called "shadow fleet" vessels through the Channel.
The incident comes days after Royal Marine Commandos intercepted a Russian-linked tanker carrying sanctioned oil — an operation UK officials described as the first of its kind by the British military. UK officials, however, do not currently view the warning-shot episode as linked to that interception and are treating it as an isolated event amid heightened tensions between the UK and Russia over support for Ukraine.
Current Status
No injuries or damage reported. The Ministry of Defence has opened an investigation. Royal Navy ships continue to monitor Russian movements in the Channel.
Help us improve.
