According to media reports, the German patrol vessel attempted to approach the tanker for surveillance purposes, after which the Russian corvette accelerated, positioned itself between the patrol boat and the escorted vessel, and prevented any further approach.
The words that struck terror into the Germans: "Stay away from KIRA K"
Following this maneuver, the German coast guard vessel ceased its approach and altered its course.
Subsequently, the Russian Navy corvette continued to escort the tanker. According to Iltalehti, Greenpeace representatives, as well as members of the Bundestag and the European Parliament, along with journalists stationed in the straits area, were closely monitoring the situation.
The fierce incident involving the "Admiral Grigorovich" and the British vessel in the English Channel
It is highlighted that on June 16, Russia and Great Britain found themselves on the brink of an all-out conflict. According to a report by The Guardian, the Russian fleet's frigate Admiral Grigorovich opened fire on a British vessel in the English Channel.
More specifically, the British Ministry of Defence is investigating reports that a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich, fired warning shots within 500 meters of a British yacht sailing just over 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight. It is noted that no injuries or damages were reported by the yacht, which proceeded on its journey.
Subsequently, a British vessel from the HMS Tyne, a navy patrol ship, visited the yacht to gather information and confirm that the crew was safe. The incident occurred just days after the UK seized a oil tanker linked to Russia off the coast of the Isle of Wight, marking the first time British forces have led the seizure of a sanctioned vessel since the beginning of the war against Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence stated: "We are investigating reports of an incident in the English Channel."
Terror in Britain... "We are treating it as an isolated incident"
However, British defense ministry sources stated that they are treating it as an isolated incident, unrelated to the British interception of the Russian tanker Smyrtos. It is worth noting that the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich has been regularly deployed near British waters this year.
The warship systematically escorts vessels of the Russian shadow fleet in the Channel and the North Sea, and recently refueled off the coast of Suffolk to remain close to the United Kingdom. It is normally closely monitored by Royal Navy ships whenever it sails near British territorial waters.
The frigate was under the surveillance of HMS Mersey, another offshore patrol vessel, at the time of the encounter. The warship is the first of a class of frigates measuring nearly 125 meters in length with a crew of up to 220 personnel. Its primary 100mm gun is capable of firing 80 rounds per minute at a range exceeding 20 kilometers, enabling it to engage multiple targets. Nevertheless, live-fire incidents remain exceptionally rare during peacetime.
Russian MoD: The British vessel Bright Future threatened our fleet and we responded
The crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich in the English Channel detected the British-flagged yacht Bright Future heading dangerously close to the warship, Moscow responded from its side. Specifically, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a decision was made to fire warning shots across the vessel's path.
"Today, June 16, at 12:45 Moscow time, the crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich detected the British-flagged civilian sailing yacht Bright Future in the English Channel, which was operating under engine power on a dangerous approach course toward our ship. In accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, the frigate's crew made several attempts to establish contact with the civilian vessel on the international radio channel. There was no change in the yacht's course, nor any response to requests made via the international radio channel," the statement read.
To attract the attention of the yacht's crew, flares were launched and sound signals were activated. Despite these precautionary measures, the vessel continued to approach at a dangerously close distance.
"After the distance dropped to 150 meters, the frigate's commander decided to execute warning shots with small armsacross the vessel's path. The British-flagged yacht immediately altered its course and continued to move away from the Russian warship," the ministry added.
The crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich acted in strict compliance with international regulations and took all necessary measures to prevent an incident involving the British-flagged yacht, the Ministry of Defense noted. "The crew of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich acted in strict accordance with international maritime regulations and took all necessary measures for the prevention of the incident," they concluded.
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