A Russian warship reportedly fired a warning shot at a yacht that approached it in the English Channel on Tuesday, according to media reports, in an incident that comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and the West.
The encounter took place around 11:40 a.m. local time between the Isle of Wight and the Normandy coast and involved the Russian Navy frigate Admiral Grigorovich.
No injuries or damage have been reported.
The incident follows a series of developments that have intensified scrutiny of Russian activity in British waters.
Earlier this week, UK authorities seized the Russian-linked oil tanker Smyrtos, which London says was part of Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet" used to transport oil and evade Western sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
British forces, supported by Royal Marines and law enforcement officials, boarded and detained the vessel in the English Channel.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the operation as another blow to Russia's ability to finance its war effort.
ALSO READ: UK Intercepts Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker Attempting To Pass Through English Channel
The tanker was carrying an estimated 700,000 barrels of Russian oil and had departed from the Baltic port of Ust-Luga.
Separately, pressure has mounted on the UK government to investigate alleged Russian interference in British politics following arson attacks targeting properties linked to Starmer.
Two men were convicted over the attacks after being recruited through a Telegram channel by a Russian-speaking coordinator, according to a BBC investigation.
Campaign group Hope Not Hate has urged ministers to launch a public inquiry, describing the episode as part of a broader pattern of Russian efforts to sow division and undermine democratic institutions in the UK.
ALSO READ: US 'Specifically' Asked India To Buy Russian Oil In 2022: EAM S Jaishankar
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