Warning shots were fired from a Russian warship at a vessel in the English Channel, marking the latest sign of rising tensions between the UK and Vladimir Putin’s country. The incident occurred at approximately 11:40 am on Tuesday, involving the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich in the sea between the Isle of Wight and Normandy.
Incident Details
A UK-registered yacht reported that the Russian warship fired warning shots nearby at a distance of roughly 500 yards (457 metres). The shots were fired around 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters, and caused no injuries or damage.
Context of Rising Tensions
This event follows a recent operation on Sunday, when Royal Marine commandos and officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) boarded the sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker Smyrtos in the channel. Russian warships passing through the English Channel are routinely shadowed by the Royal Navy. On Tuesday, offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey monitored the Admiral Grigorovich, and a seaboat from HMS Tyne was sent to the yacht to gather details and check on the crew’s safety.
Official Response
A Ministry of Defence spokesman stated: “We are investigating reports of an incident in the Channel.” The incident underscores the heightened naval tensions between the UK and Russia in the region.
