Russian Frigate Fires Warning Shots at British Yacht in English Channel on June 16

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, on June 16, the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired warning shots at a 40-foot British sailing yacht, Bright Future, approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel. The MoD stated the shots were warning measures and not aimed at the vessel, claiming an attempted collision prevention. The Kremlin contested this, stating via Telegram that the yacht had been on a "dangerous approach" and that signal flares and sound signals were issued before the shots were fired.

Retired couple Jane Kelvey, 68, and her husband Alan, 70, disputed the Russian account, telling BBC's Newsnight that no flares or radio contact from the warship occurred before the gunfire. The MoD characterized the incident as isolated and unrelated to UK military operations.