A retired British couple, Jane and Alan Kelvey, recently shared their shocking experience when a Russian warship discharged warning shots near their yacht while sailing in the English Channel. The couple described the unsettling encounter to BBC Newsnight, referring to the event as "surreal."
On Tuesday morning, the Kelveys were navigating approximately 23 miles from the Isle of Wight when their path crossed with the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich. Amidst the tension, the warship opened fire into the yacht's trajectory, a situation the UK Ministry of Defence has termed an "isolated incident." Russian authorities, however, defended their actions by asserting that the yacht was making a "dangerous approach," a claim the Kelveys strongly disputed, insisting they were "definitely not on a collision course."
Recounting their harrowing ordeal, Jane Kelvey recalled the moments leading up to the warning shots. The frigate first issued five horn blasts, a signal typically indicating, “have you seen us?” In response, the couple adjusted their course to show they were aware of the frigate's presence. Less than a minute later, the crew of the Admiral Grigorovich again blew the horn, followed by several bursts of small arms fire, which the Kelveys believe were warning shots aimed into the air rather than directly at them.
According to a statement from the Russian Defence Ministry, the crew of the Admiral Grigorovich had made multiple attempts to contact the yacht, launching flares before resorting to firing warning shots. This action, they claimed, was taken in adherence to international shipping regulations. Nonetheless, Jane argued that the gunfire was "completely unnecessary," and she promptly reported the incident as a navigation hazard, recognizing the potential dangers posed by such aggressive display of force on the seas.
The incident transpired approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight, which lies outside UK territorial waters. Reports indicated that the yacht, named Bright Future, had drifted into the warship's vicinity due to fog after departing from the UK. In light of the situation, a patrol boat from HMS Tyne was dispatched to assist the Kelveys, highlighting the seriousness of the encounter in these treacherous maritime conditions.
