Russian Warship Fires Warning Shots in English Channel, UK PM Starmer Condemns as Reckless

(Central News Agency, Aix-en-Provence, France, June 17 — comprehensive international report) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said today that a Russian frigate fired warning shots near a UK-flagged civilian yacht to alter its course in waters close to British territorial waters, calling the act 'reckless and deeply concerning.'

According to ABC News, the incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel, in waters not part of the UK's territorial sea.

Reuters reported, citing statements from both the UK and Russian defense ministries, that the incident took place yesterday. The Russian Navy frigate 'Admiral Grigorovich' attempted multiple times to contact the yacht via radio without success. To avoid a collision, the warship opened warning fire.

Starmer, attending the G7 summit in France, told BBC News: 'What happened in the English Channel is deeply concerning.'

Starmer added that the UK Ministry of Defence assessed the Russian vessel was drifting and that the shots fired were warning shots.

He said: 'This should not have happened. It was reckless. The couple on the yacht must have been terrified.'

Russia's Ministry of Defence stated yesterday that crew members aboard the frigate detected the yacht's course posed a potential collision risk. After multiple failed attempts to establish radio contact, the frigate fired warning shots — including small arms fire — ahead of the yacht, which then changed course and left the area.

The UK Ministry of Defence characterized the incident as a 'single event' and stated it is unrelated to the interception of a Russian shadow fleet vessel by British special forces last weekend. (Translation: Yang Chao-yen) 1150617

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