A retired British couple sailing aboard their yacht recounted a startling encounter after a Russian warship fired warning shots nearby in the English Channel, describing the episode as distinctly unreal to BBC interviewers.

Jane and Alan Kelvey were navigating roughly 23 miles south of the Isle of Wight on Tuesday morning when their vessel came into proximity with the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labeled the discharge of shots across the bow of the UK-registered yacht as reckless, while the Ministry of Defence characterized the event as an isolated occurrence.

Russian defense officials claimed the yacht approached dangerously close, yet the couple insisted they were never on a path toward collision.

Jane Kelvey recounted to BBC Newsnight that the warship sounded five horn blasts signaling awareness, prompting the couple to alter course two degrees to port to confirm they had noticed the larger ship.

Shortly afterward, another series of five blasts preceded four or five rounds of small-arms fire directed upward as a warning signal rather than aimed fire, she explained.

Russian naval units frequently transit international waters in the Channel under routine Royal Navy observation, separate from territorial limits.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated that multiple radio attempts and warning flares preceded rifle shots fired across the yacht's path in line with maritime protocols.

Sir Keir later expressed that the episode should not have occurred and conveyed sympathy for the couple, noting they must have felt alarmed by the development.

He added that assessments indicated the Russian vessel was drifting at the time, rendering the shots precautionary measures in context.

A Ministry of Defence representative confirmed attempts to hail the British craft preceded the warning shots aimed at averting any potential impact.

Jane maintained that their yacht Bright Future held no collision trajectory and viewed the gunfire as wholly unneeded, leading her to log it as a navigation hazard per standard procedure.

The encounter unfolded about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of Wight beyond UK territorial boundaries.

Authorities received reports indicating shots originated from roughly 500 yards distant under foggy conditions that caused the yacht to drift closer after departing the UK.

Officials assessed the frigate sought to indicate its reduced maneuverability while drifting, heightening collision concerns among its crew.

A launch from HMS Tyne approached the yacht to collect information and verify crew welfare.

When asked about fear following the gunfire, the couple replied calmly they felt none, with Jane noting she simply lowered her canvas hood while her husband maintained steering.

The Ministry of Defence clarified no connection existed to a recent tanker seizure incident.

HMS Mersey had shadowed the Admiral Grigorovich for days following its detection near Brest, France, during standard operations.

Reports indicate the frigate received orders to accompany shadow fleet movements through the Channel while receiving resupply from the vessel PM-82 over recent months.

Satellite data confirmed ongoing support allowing extended presence and convoy leadership in the region.

In April the frigate escorted multiple shadow fleet units while under Royal Navy watch, consistent with prior monitoring of Russian transits including merchant and support craft.

Former Royal Navy rear admiral James Parkin noted armed responses remain a final option limited to self-defense situations.

He described the weekend tanker seizure as an embarrassment given the frigate's presence intended to prevent such events, though he viewed Tuesday's shots as likely a misjudgment rather than intentional targeting near British waters.