Russian warship fires warning shots at UK yacht near Isle of Wight

Key facts

• A Russian frigate fired warning shots at a British yacht.
• The incident occurred in the English Channel near the Isle of Wight.
• The yacht was UK-registered.
• The yacht's owners described the event as a "damned cheek."
• The UK Ministry of Defence called it a "nautical incident."
• The yacht was described as navigating a 'dangerous course.'
• The event is seen as a potential diplomatic escalation.

A Russian frigate fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel, south of the Isle of Wight. The owners of the UK-registered yacht described the incident as a "damned cheek," and expressed concern that it could lead to a diplomatic escalation. The UK Ministry of Defence, however, downplayed the event, referring to it as a "nautical incident."

The yacht was reportedly navigating a 'dangerous course' at the time of the encounter with the Russian frigate. Further details regarding the specific actions of the frigate or the yacht, and the exact nature of the 'dangerous course,' were not provided in the initial reports.