Russian warship fires warning shots at yacht in English Channel

A Russian frigate fired warning shots with small arms near the UK-registered yacht Bright Future while sailing in the English Channel, the Russian defense ministry said. The ministry said the ship attempted to contact the yacht by radio, signal flares and sound signals, and opened fire after receiving no response and seeing the yacht "following a dangerous course." After closing to 150 meters, the commander "decided to carry out the preemptive fire at the vessel's course with small arms." Retired British couple Jane and Alan Kelvey, aboard Bright Future, said they were 23 miles from the Isle of Wight and not on a collision course; they adjusted their path after the frigate issued five horn blasts.

The episode followed the Royal Marines' seizure of the tanker MV Smyrtos off southern England, though the UK defense ministry said the two events were isolated. The Admiral Grigorovich, part of the Black Sea Fleet, was seen convoying two tankers in the Channel in April.

United Kingdom, English Channel

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