The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation after a Russian warship reportedly fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel, in what officials are currently deeming an isolated incident.
The encounter, which caused no injuries or damage to the yacht, is understood to have involved the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.
It occurred approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside of the UK’s territorial waters.
The Admiral Grigorovich, a Black Sea fleet frigate, has been previously monitored by the Royal Navy during its passages through the English Channel.
In April, the 3,500-tonne vessel was observed accompanying two other shadow fleet ships along England’s southern coast, with the British tanker RFA Tideforce trailing behind.
The 125-metre-long frigate is based in Sevastopol, a significant port city located in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Admiral Grigorovich has eight vertical launch cells for cruise missiles, which can be used against ships or ground targets.
It also has an A-190 Arsenal naval gun and a hangar and helipad for a military helicopter.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We are investigating reports of an incident in the Channel.”
Last month, the Royal Navy said it had “closely watched” Admiral Grigorovich as it sailed in UK waters throughout April, to the west of the UK and in the North Sea.
A Royal Navy spokesman said on May 6: “Patrol ships HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn, tanker RFA Tideforce and Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron tracked the Russian Navy’s Admiral Grigorovich throughout April.
“There was not one day last month when the Russian warship, her supporting vessels or the ships she was tasked with escorting was not closely watched by Royal Navy air or sea power.
“The Grigorovich moved between the North Sea and Western Approaches, escorting Russian-flagged vessels heading to and from the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Baltic.”
The shots happened just hours before the captain of the Smyrtos appeared in court, charged with breaching sanctions. The Russian shadow fleet vessel was carrying 98,000 tonnes of oil when it was intercepted by British troops.
Ajay Pant, an Indian national, has been charged with directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country, in contravention of strict sanctions.
