Starmer calls Russian frigate’s Channel warning shots reckless
The UK prime minister said shots fired near a British yacht were concerning but not tied to Britain’s seizure of a Russian-linked tanker.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said a Russian frigate acted recklessly when it fired warning shots near a UK-flagged civilian yacht close to British waters. The episode added to tensions with Moscow as G7 leaders met in France to discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine and further pressure on the Kremlin.
Starmer said the incident “should not have happened” and called it concerning, according to PA and Reuters. He said it did not appear to be connected to Britain’s seizure on Sunday of a Russian-linked oil tanker suspected of breaching sanctions while passing through the English Channel.
The yacht incident took place on Tuesday, according to statements from the defence ministries of the United Kingdom and Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defence said the frigate Admiral Grigorovich encountered the Bright Future about 20 nautical miles, or 37km, south of the Isle of Wight, outside UK territorial waters.
Russia’s ministry said the yacht had been travelling on a course that created a risk of collision with the warship. It said the frigate tried to contact the vessel before firing warning shots, adding that the shots were not aimed at the yacht and were intended to prevent a collision.
Alan Kelvey, 70, who was aboard the yacht with his wife, Jane, rejected Russia’s account. He said they were not on a collision course and described the Russian statement as “just normal lies”.
The UK Ministry of Defence described the episode as isolated and said it was not linked to the tanker seizure. Starmer also said the yacht incident did not point to “anything more sinister”, while adding that Russia remained aggressive across Europe.
“We’re seeing the Ukraine war now in its fifth year, clear Russian aggression, and we are seeing state-backed attacks across Europe,” Starmer told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, according to PA and Reuters.
The Royal Navy routinely follows Russian warships when they pass through the English Channel. At the time of Tuesday’s incident, the offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey was monitoring the Admiral Grigorovich, according to the reporting.
The confrontation came two days after British forces carried out their first seizure of a Russian-linked “shadow fleet” tanker, according to PA and Reuters. The vessel was suspected of violating sanctions while transiting the Channel.
Britain and other Western countries have barred ships linked to Russia’s shadow fleet from entering their ports. The UK has also banned British companies from providing insurance, brokerage or financial services to vessels carrying Russian oil, which remains a major revenue source for Moscow during its war in Ukraine.
At the G7 summit, leaders announced measures aimed at increasing pressure on Russia and strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, according to PA and Reuters. Starmer attended the meeting as allies weighed further steps over Moscow’s continuing invasion.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.