Things appear to be heating up between Russia and the United Kingdom, following the boarding of a shadow fleet tanker earlier this week. Earlier today, a Russian frigate is said to have fired warning shots at a yacht in the English Channel, in what British defence officials are treating as an isolated incident amid already elevated tensions with Moscow.
The Admiral Grigorovich, a nearly 125-metre frigate whose main gun can fire 80 rounds per minute, discharged the shots from roughly 500 yards away after a motorless pleasure yacht drifted toward the warship in foggy conditions south of the Isle of Wight.
The yacht, which had launched from the UK, did not respond to an initial audible warning before the Russian vessel opened fire. No injuries or damage were reported, and the yacht continued on its journey. A boat from HMS Tyne later visited the crew to check on their safety.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed it is investigating the incident, which took place about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight in international waters, beyond the 12-mile British territorial limit. HMS Mersey, an offshore patrol vessel, was shadowing the frigate at the time.
The encountered follows Royal Marine Commandos intercepting the Smyrtos, a Russia-linked oil tanker carrying sanctioned oil, also near the Isle of Wight, on Sunday. That marked the first British seizure of a sanctioned vessel since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the proximity in timing and location, British defence sources say the two incidents are not considered connected.
The Admiral Grigorovich has maintained a persistent presence in British waters for months, kept at sea for extended periods through repeated resupply runs. NATO officials believe Moscow ordered the frigate to escort shadow fleet vessels through the Channel. In April alone, the frigate is believed to have escorted six such vessels.
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