Ministry of Defence investigates after shots apparently fired within 500 metres of vessel near Isle of WightThe Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots within 500 metres of a British yacht sailing a little over 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight.No injuries or damage have been reported by the yacht, which is continuing its journey. A boat from HMS Tyne has visited the yacht to gather details and check the
A file photo of the Admiral Grigorovich, which reportedly fired warning shots at a yacht in the Channel.
Photograph: MoD Crown Copyright/PA A file photo of the Admiral Grigorovich, which reportedly fired warning shots at a yacht in the Channel.
Photograph: MoD Crown Copyright/PA Russian frigate fires warning shots at British yacht in Channel – reports Ministry of Defence investigates after shots apparently fired within 500 metres of vessel near Isle of Wight The Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots within 500 metres of a British yacht sailing a little over 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight.
No injuries or damage have been reported by the yacht, which continued its journey. A boat from HMS Tyne, a patrol vessel, has visited the yacht to gather details and check the crew are safe.
The incident came just days after the UK seized a Russia-linked oil tanker off the coast of the Isle of Wight, the first time British forces have led the seizure of a sanctioned vessel since the start of the war against Ukraine.
The MoD said: “We are investigating reports of an incident in the Channel”.
However, defence sources said they were viewing it as an isolated episode, not linked to the UK interception of the Smyrtos.
The Admiral Grigorovich has been regularly deployed near British waters this year. It has regularly escorted Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Channel and North Sea and refuelled off the Suffolk coast to remain near the UK.
It is normally shadowed by Royal Navy vessels when it sails close to UK territorial waters. The frigate was being monitored by HMS Mersey, another offshore patrol ship, at the time.
The warship is the first in a class of frigates nearly 125 metres in length and with a crew of up to 220. Its main 100mm gun is able to fire 80 rounds a minute at a range of more than 20km and engage multiple targets.
Shooting incidents are extremely rare in peacetime.
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