A Russian frigate fired small arms warning shots at the private yacht as they passed north east of Alderney.
A retired couple from Buckinghamshire have been reflecting on a bizarre encounter with a Russian frigate in English Channel, north east of Alderney, yesterday morning (16 June).
Jane and Alan Kelvey were sailing their single masted yacht Bright Future from Lymington in the Isle of Wight to Cherbourg.
They left at just after 4am according to Marine Traffic, and encountered the thick mist and fog that we have seen envelop the Channel Islands over the past few days.
Some 23 miles off the south coast of England and into international waters off Alderney, they encountered the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.
It has been reported that the vessel gave five blasts of its ship's horn to warn the yacht of a potential collision.
The couple say they altered course to show they had seen the Grigorovich and at this point they heard rifle shots to warn them off further.
They have described this action as 'unnecessary' and have told reporters the experience was 'surreal' and 'a bit scary'.
The MoD is investigating the incident and a Royal Navy ship is keeping tabs on the Grigorovich.
It is understood has been escorting Russian shadow fleet oil tankers through the Channel for some time.
The Kelvey's got to Cherbourg in around 12 hours, despite their close encounter with the Russian Navy.
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