Starmer labels Russian frigate's Channel maneuvers reckless

The incident unfolded near British territorial waters when the Russian vessel claimed it could not establish radio contact with the yacht. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the frigate deployed small arms fire as a warning to prevent a collision after the yacht allegedly maintained a dangerous trajectory. The civilian vessel subsequently altered its course and moved away from the warship.

British defense officials characterized the event as isolated, explicitly distancing it from the weekend interception of a Russian shadow fleet vessel by UK commandos. Starmer emphasized that such interactions should not occur, maintaining that the frigate’s maneuvers were deeply concerning and unnecessary in the busy waterway.