The event occurred two days after armed British forces boarded and detained a sanctioned tanker in the Channel, suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
On Tuesday, Russia announced that one of its warships fired warning shots at a British-flagged yacht in the English Channel following what was described as a «dangerous approach.»
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«To capture the yacht crew’s attention, signal flares were launched and audible alarms sounded. Despite these warnings, the vessel continued with its unsafe approach,» stated the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Subsequently, «the frigate commander chose to fire warning shots towards the vessel using the ship’s small arms,» it added.
Russia’s statement followed the UK Defence Ministry’s earlier announcement on Tuesday that an investigation into the reported Channel incident was underway, with a UK defence source informing AFP that a yacht claimed a Russian warship had discharged warning shots.
The occurrence reportedly took place approximately 20 nautical miles (37 kilometres) south of the Isle of Wight, just outside UK territorial waters, according to the source.
When questioned about the alleged warning shots, a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson responded: «We are probing reports of an incident in the Channel.»
The defence source described the event as isolated and unconnected to the UK’s early Sunday interception.
According to reports on Tuesday, the UK-flagged yacht indicated the Russian Navy vessel fired warning shots from roughly 500 yards (457 metres) away.
No casualties or damages were reported by the yacht, which continued its voyage after receiving a welfare check from a vessel dispatched from the British naval ship HMS Tyne.
Reports indicate that another British warship, HMS Mersey, was tracking the Russian vessel during the incident.
Interception of the shadow fleet
This event followed shortly after British commandos intercepted and boarded a suspected Russian shadow fleet ship in the same Channel area, marking the first operation of this kind led by the UK.
On Sunday, British commandos boarded the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos, believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, in a high-profile mission praised by Kyiv and London as a setback to Moscow’s military capabilities.
The operation unfolded off England’s southern coast, featuring commandos descending by fast-rope from a helicopter under cover of darkness, as shown in defence ministry footage.
On Monday, British prosecutors charged Ajay Pant, the Indian captain of Smyrtos, alleging a breach of UK sanctions imposed on Russia following the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The 38-year-old appeared via videolink at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday from Bournemouth police station for a preliminary hearing.
He only confirmed his name, date of birth, and address in India. No plea was indicated, and his solicitor requested the case be sent to the crown court.
Pant was remanded in custody pending a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for 16 July at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Additional sources • AFP