Russian frigate fires warning shots after close approach by British vessel

June 16, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

A Russian Navy frigate fired warning shots after a British-flagged sailing yacht reportedly approached the vessel on a dangerous course in the English Channel on June 16, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 local time when the crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich detected the civilian yacht Bright Future approaching the warship with its engines running.

Russian officials said the frigate’s crew made multiple attempts to contact the yacht via the international maritime radio channel in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). According to the ministry, the yacht neither responded to the radio calls nor altered its course.

The frigate subsequently employed signal flares and sound signals in an effort to attract the attention of the yacht’s crew. The vessel continued its approach despite these measures, the ministry stated.

After the distance between the two vessels narrowed to approximately 150 metres, the commander of Admiral Grigorovich ordered warning fire with small arms ahead of the yacht’s course.

The Russian ministry said the yacht immediately changed course and moved away from the warship following the warning shots.

No injuries or damage were reported. The circumstances surrounding the yacht’s actions and whether communication difficulties contributed to the incident were not immediately clear.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said the frigate’s crew acted in accordance with international navigation regulations and took measures to prevent a collision.

The event comes days after British Armed Forces intercepted and boarded a sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel, in what the British government described as the first UK-led operation of its kind.