UK PM calls Russian warship actions reckless but not sinister
8 reported
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday described the actions of a Russian warship crew as reckless after they fired warning shots near a British yacht in the English Channel, though he downplayed the seriousness of the incident. The owners of the 40-foot sailboat Bright Future reported that shots were fired Tuesday morning while they were crossing the channel to Cherbourg, France. Russia stated the crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired into the air after the sailboat failed to respond to warnings to change course. No one was injured, but the incident highlighted heightened tensions between the U.K. and Russia. Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Starmer said the incident was “deeply concerning,” even though British defense officials concluded the shots were not “anything more sinister” than an effort to avoid a collision. The incident occurred two days after Britain seized a tanker from Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which Western powers say is used to skirt sanctions on Russian oil exports.
What’s reported
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused the crew of a Russian warship of acting recklessly when they fired warning shots near a British yacht in the English Channel.
The owners of the 40-foot sailboat Bright Future, Jane Kelvey (68) and Alan Kelvey (70), reported the shots were fired Tuesday morning while crossing the English Channel to Cherbourg, France.
Russia says the crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich fired shots into the air after the sailboat failed to respond to warnings to change course.
No one was injured.
Starmer said the incident was “deeply concerning,” but British defense officials concluded the shots were not “anything more sinister” than an effort to avoid a collision.
The incident occurred two days after Britain seized a tanker from Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which Western powers say is used to skirt sanctions on Russian oil exports.
The shots were fired about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, outside U.K. territorial waters.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the frigate tried to contact the yacht when it was seen sailing on a “dangerous course in close proximity with the warship,” and fired warning shots after the distance closed to 150 meters.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
Jane Kelvey, 68, co-owner of the Bright Future
Alan Kelvey, 70, co-owner of the Bright Future
Sources: abcnews.com
