Russian frigate in the Strait of Rokava against warnings-fire yachts

On Tuesday morning around 11:40 local time, a Russian naval frigate named *Admiral Grigorovich* fired warning shots near a British-registered civilian yacht in the Dover Strait, between the Isle of Wight and Normandy, outside the territorial waters of the United Kingdom. According to reports from the BBC, there were no injuries or damage reported on the yacht following the incident. The yacht itself had informed UK authorities that the Russian ship had fired warning rounds from a distance of approximately 457 meters, which is considered a relatively close range under maritime standards. After the incident, the yacht continued its journey without further issues.

The incident occurred as the *Admiral Grigorovich*, a 125-meter-long frigate with a crew of up to 220 personnel, was reportedly monitoring other Russian vessels passing through the Dover Strait. This area has long been a routine passage for Russian military ships, which are typically monitored by Royal Navy vessels. In recent days, two British warships had been tracking the *Admiral Grigorovich* during a routine operation after it was spotted off the coast of Brest, France. The frigate is capable of engaging multiple targets at distances of up to 20 kilometers.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the yacht approached the frigate dangerously despite repeated attempts by the Russian vessel to establish radio contact with the yacht. When these efforts failed, the crew of the *Admiral Grigorovich* decided to fire warning shots using light weaponry to alert the yacht. The ministry emphasized that their actions were in strict compliance with international maritime regulations, as reported by the BBC.

Meanwhile, the UK government confirmed it was investigating the incident. A source within the UK government told the BBC that the yacht was being operated by a couple in their sixties who did not hear the Russian frigate's warnings before the shots were fired. The incident took place approximately 32 kilometers south of the Isle of Wight, beyond the UK’s territorial waters.

This event follows another significant occurrence just two days earlier when the Royal Navy intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the Dover Strait. That operation marked the first time the UK military had seized a vessel from Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of ships used to circumvent sanctions imposed due to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The tanker, named *Smyrtos*, was boarded by Royal Navy commandos and specially trained officers from the National Crime Agency. The operation was supported by aircraft from the Naval Air Group, including a RAF P-8 plane, as well as the warships HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury. The UK Defense Secretary, Dan Jarvis, stated that this action struck a blow against Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine by targeting one of its financial lifelines.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the operation as a message to those supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, stating they could no longer remain hidden. He also thanked all those involved, including the armed forces and police, for their continuous service in ensuring national security. The UK Foreign Office announced new sanctions against Russia in response to the incident.

The tensions between the UK and Russia have escalated amid growing concerns over Russian military activity in European waters. While the Russian defense ministry insists its actions were lawful and necessary, the UK continues to monitor Russian vessels in the region as part of its broader strategy to counter Russian influence and support Ukraine. The incident involving the *Admiral Grigorovich* highlights the increasing frequency of encounters between Western naval forces and Russian military assets in contested waters, raising questions about the potential for future confrontations.