A Russian warship fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel after it made a “dangerous approach”, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry said signal flares were shot and “audible signals” were played to attract the boat’s attention.
After the yacht “continued the dangerous approach”, the Russian ship’s commander decided to “fire warning shots” using the Russian frigate’s small arms. The Russian team reported that the bullets were fired from a distance of 500 yards.
Britain’s Defense Ministry said it was investigating the incident, which is understood to have involved the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich, outside Britain’s territorial waters, about 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers) south of the Isle of Wight.
No injuries or damage were reported.
Russian warship in the English Channel
The Royal Navy often chases Russian warships passing through the English Channel. An offshore patrol vessel, HMS Mersey, was monitoring the Russian warship when the incident occurred.
Officials said the warning shots were likely an isolated incident and unrelated to the naval action against the Russian Shadow Fleet tanker, Smirtos, in the Channel last Sunday.
The seizure of Smyrtos was the first such action by British forces aimed at Russia’s efforts to circumvent international oil sanctions, although Britain has previously helped allies target sanctioned tankers.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn