A Russian warship fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel this morning, sources confirm, prompting a rapid response from the Royal Navy. The incident unfolded around 9:30 am local time when the Russian vessel, identified as the missile corvette Grad, approached the civilian yacht 'Sea Breeze' roughly 12 nautical miles off the coast of Brighton. According to leaked naval communications reviewed by this desk, the Grad's crew issued repeated warnings to the yacht to alter course, claiming it was entering a 'restricted exercise zone.
' When the yacht failed to comply, the Russians fired three bursts from a deck-mounted machine gun across its bow. No casualties were reported, but the yacht's captain described the crew as 'shaken.' The Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland, which had been monitoring the Grad from a distance, immediately moved to intercept, positioning itself between the two vessels.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed the interception but declined to comment on the specifics of the engagement. 'We are aware of an incident in the English Channel involving a Russian warship and a British vessel. The Royal Navy is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of British waters and citizens,' the spokesman said in a terse statement.
Uncovered documents from the UK Hydrographic Office show no notifications of Russian exercises in that area today, raising questions about whether the Grad was acting under official orders or freelancing. This incident marks the first time since the Cold War that Russian forces have fired live rounds at a British civilian vessel in the Channel. The Prime Minister has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.
A source close to the meeting told me: 'This is a dangerous escalation. The Admiralty is furious. The Russians are testing our responses, and they just crossed a line.
