The British Ministry of Defense is currently investigating reports that a Russian warship may have fired defensive shots within 500 meters of a British yacht sailing through the English Channel.
The incident will have taken place about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight in the middle of the English Channel, but a few days ago the British seized the Russian oil tanker Smyrtos, which belongs to the so-called Russian shadow fleet, off the coast of the island.
According to coverage Guardian the Russian frigate is named Admiral Grigorovich and has been regularly sailing close to British territorial waters this year.
The frigate has regularly accompanied ships from the Russian shadow fleet on cruises through the English Channel and the North Sea, staying close to the UK this year.
Photo/AFP
Follows the Russian shadow fleet
The frigate has regularly accompanied ships from the Russian shadow fleet on cruises through the English Channel and the North Sea and has stayed close to Britain this year, but when Admiral Grigorovich sails close to British territorial waters she is closely watched by British Navy patrol ships.
Russia has operated a so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers to evade sanctions imposed on its oil exports.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said reports of an incident in the Channel were being investigated within the ministry, but was unable to comment further on the matter.
However, sources within the ministry said in an interview with the Guardian that they believe the incident was isolated and unrelated to the British seizure of the oil tanker Smyrtos.
