UK investigates after a Russian warship fired warning shots near a yacht in the English Channel

By — Jill Lawless, Associated Press Jill Lawless, Associated Press By — Brian Melley, Associated Press Brian Melley, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/a-russian-warship-fired-warning-shots-near-a-uk-registered-yacht-in-the-english-channel Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter UK investigates after a Russian warship fired warning shots near a yacht in the English Channel World Jun 16, 2026 4:20 PM EDT LONDON (AP) — A Russian warship fired warning shots near a U.K.-registered pleasure yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday, authorities said, an incident that caused no damage but illustrated heightened tensions between the two countries. Britain's Defense Ministry launched an investigation after the yacht reported being fired on by a Russian navy vessel about 20 nautical miles (23 miles, 37 kilometers) south of the Isle of Wight, outside U.K. territorial waters. READ MORE: Russia unleashes an overnight barrage on Ukraine, killing 11 people and damaging a religious landmark, officials say There were no reports of injuries or damage to the sailing yacht, which continued its journey from the U.K. toward France. The BBC reported that the yacht, which has no motor, had drifted toward the Russian vessel in foggy conditions. Russia's Defense Ministry said the crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich tried to contact the yacht when it was seen sailing on a "dangerous course in close proximity with the warship." It said the ship's crew launched flares and issued sound signals when the yacht did not respond. "After the distance had closed to 150 meters (500 feet), the frigate's commander decided to fire warning shots across the vessel's bow using small arms," the ministry said. It said the yacht then changed course and sailed away. The ministry said the ship's crew "acted in strict accordance" with international navigation rules to avoid a collision. Britain's account of the incident was similar. "Following attempts to contact a British vessel in the channel, the Grigorovich fired warning shots. These were not aimed at the vessel and were an attempt to prevent a possible collision," Britain's Defense Ministry said in a statement. Russian warships passing through the English Channel are routinely shadowed by the Royal Navy, and patrol vessel HMS Mersey was monitoring the Russian ship at the time of the reported incident and provided support to the yacht's crew. The British military said last month that it had monitored the Admiral Grigorovich throughout April as the Russian ship escorted six Russia-linked civilian vessels near the U.K. The altercation occurred two days after British commandos boarded and detained a sanctioned tanker in the Channel that is suspected of being part of the Russian "shadow fleet." British defense officials said they don't believe the two events are linked. The tanker's captain, an Indian national charged with shipping Russian oil in v