A Russian warship fired warning shots at a United Kingdom-registered yacht after it approached closely while drifting in the English Channel, one day after the British military intercepted an oil tanker in Russia’s so-called 'Shadow Fleet'.
Foreign news agencies reported that a Russian warship fired warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel on the morning of Tuesday, 16 June 2026, after the two vessels came dangerously close to each other.
The incident occurred shortly before noon in the waters between the Isle of Wight and the Normandy region, involving the Russian frigate named "Admiral Grigorovich."
The BBC reported that the small, engine-less yacht drifted toward the warship amid thick fog after departing from the United Kingdom.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the yacht "approached at a dangerous distance" to the warship, and the Russian crew fired rifle shots to block the yacht’s path after multiple radio contact attempts and warning flares.
Russia also said its navy personnel acted "in strict accordance with international maritime regulations," while the UK Ministry of Defence said it is currently investigating the incident.
UK officials reported that those aboard the yacht said the Russian vessel fired warning shots from about 500 yards (457 meters) away, which is considered very close by maritime travel standards.
This event occurred just days after the Royal Marine Commandos intercepted an oil tanker in Russia’s 'Shadow Fleet' transporting sanctioned oil through the English Channel on Sunday, marking the first time the UK carried out such an operation.
However, British officials understand that the recent incident is not believed to be connected to the Sunday operation.
Typically, Russian warships regularly transit the English Channel in international waters and are routinely monitored by Royal Navy vessels.
On Monday, the Royal Navy stated that the Admiral Grigorovich had been tracked by HMS Tyne and HMS Mersey throughout the weekend after being detected off the coast of Brest, France.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:bbc