Russian Warship Fires Warning Shots at British-Flagged Yacht 20 Nautical Miles off Isle of Wight
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Jun 16
Russian Warship Fires Warning Shots at British-Flagged Yacht 20 Nautical Miles off Isle of Wight
3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jun 16
Summary
Russian authorities said a frigate opened fire with small arms toward a British-flagged yacht after flares and audible warnings failed to stop what Moscow called a dangerous approach in the Channel.
About 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, the yacht reported the shots were fired from roughly 500 yards away; no injuries or damage were reported, and it continued after a welfare check.
Britain said it was investigating the incident, while HMS Tyne dispatched a vessel to the yacht and HMS Mersey monitored the Russian ship outside UK territorial waters.
The encounter came two days after British commandos boarded the sanctioned tanker Smyrtos in the same waters; UK officials said Tuesday's episode was being treated as isolated from that operation.