Russian warship fires warning shots near U.K.-registered yacht in the English Channel

A Russian frigate fired warning shots near a U.K.registered yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday, according to British and Russian authorities. The incident took place outside U.K. territorial waters about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight and caused no reported injuries or damage. Britain’s defence ministry said it opened an investigation after the yacht reported being fired on while traveling toward France. Russia said the vessel was on a dangerous course near the frigate Admiral Grigorovich and that the crew used flares, sound signals, and warning shots to avoid a collision. The Royal Navy said patrol vessel HMS Mersey was monitoring the Russian ship at the time and assisted the yacht’s crew. The episode comes amid continued maritime tensions between the U.K. and Russia, including recent monitoring of Russian vessels and separate British actions against a sanctioned tanker in the channel.