Russian Warship Reckless, Not Sinister, in Firing Shots at Yacht in English Channel, Starmer Says

The yacht, which was being sailed by a retired British couple, reported several shots, which Russians say were warnings to avoid a collision.A file photo of a Russian warship docked in Port Sudan in Sudan, on Feb. 28, 2021. AP Photo, File6/17/2026|Updated: 6/17/2026UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said a Russian warship was “reckless” but not “sinister” in firing warning shots at a yacht steered by pensioners in the English Channel. Russian officials contend that the shots were fired to avert a collision.Starmer told GB News that the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has determined that the shots fired on June 16 were from “a drifting warship rather than anything more sinister.”