Key facts
- A Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, reportedly fired warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel.
- The incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters.
- Russia's Defence Ministry stated the shots were fired to prevent a collision after failed attempts to contact the yacht.
- Britain's Ministry of Defence is investigating the reports.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident 'reckless' and 'deeply concerning'.
- The yacht's occupants, Jane and Alan Kelvey, disputed the Russian account, stating they were not on a dangerous approach and had the right of way.
A British couple has described a 'scary' encounter in the English Channel where a Russian warship allegedly fired warning shots near their yacht. Jane and Alan Kelvey were sailing their yacht, Bright Future, from England to France when they came into close proximity with the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.
Jane Kelvey, 69, stated that the warship fired four or five shots that sounded like a 'whipcrack.' She disputed the Russian Defence Ministry's claim that the yacht was on a 'dangerous approach' and that warning shots were fired after attempts to attract the crew's attention with flares and sound signals. Kelvey asserted that they were sailing at about five knots, had their location visible via an automatic identification system (AIS), and were not in danger of collision.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed it is investigating the reports, stating the Russian vessel fired warning shots to prevent a possible collision after attempts to contact the yacht, which was outside UK territorial waters. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the incident as 'reckless' and 'deeply concerning.'
The Kelveys, retired business owners, expressed a desire not to have the incident 'blown out of all proportion,' emphasizing that they did not want 'world war three to start because of this.' They contacted the UK Coastguard, and a vessel from HMS Tyne was dispatched to check on their safety and gather information.