Key facts
- A Russian frigate, Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots at a British yacht, Bright Future, approximately 20 nautical miles from the Isle of Wight.
- The yacht's owners, Jane and Alan Kelvey, asserted they had the right of way and were not in danger of collision.
- Russia's Ministry of Defence stated the yacht failed to respond to multiple attempts at communication and that warning shots were fired in accordance with international law.
- The Kelveys changed course and contacted the coastguard, and a UK patrol vessel, HMS Tyne, later checked on their safety.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident "deeply concerning" and "reckless."
A tense encounter occurred in the English Channel when the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired warning shots near the British yacht Bright Future. The yacht's owners, Jane and Alan Kelvey, maintain they had the right of way and that the Russian warship failed to communicate properly. Russia's Ministry of Defence, however, stated that the yacht did not respond to warnings and that the frigate acted within international navigation laws.
The incident, which took place approximately 20 nautical miles from the Isle of Wight, has been characterized by the UK Ministry of Defence as a "nautical incident," attributing potential fault to foggy weather and sailing practices. The Kelveys, however, feel the British government is downplaying the event to avoid a diplomatic incident with Russia, especially given the current geopolitical climate.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the Russian actions as "reckless" and "deeply concerning," linking the event to broader tensions stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine. The Kelveys, who were on a sailing trip to France, stated they changed course after the warning shots and later debriefed with French authorities. Despite the scare, they intend to continue their holiday.