Etiket: İngiltere

A British retired couple, Jane and Alan Kelvey, had a truly surreal experience while sailing their yacht, the Bright Future, in the English Channel. This unusual incident unfolded about 23 miles off the coast of the Isle of Wight on a Tuesday morning when they found themselves in close proximity to a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich.

As they sailed, the frigate issued a series of warning signals, blasting its horn five times, a signal that typically means “have you seen us?” Jane recalled how they promptly turned their vessel two degrees to port, signaling to the warship that they had indeed seen it. However, things escalated when, just a minute later, the frigate fired another five blasts followed by four to five warning shots. Thankfully, the couple believed the gunfire wasn’t aimed at them, describing it as warning shots fired into the air.

The Russian Defence Ministry claimed the yacht was on a “dangerous approach” toward the warship. But the Kelveys firmly disagreed, stating they were “definitely not on a collision course.” According to Jane, it wasn’t until the gunfire erupted that they felt any sense of danger. She deemed the gunfire “completely unnecessary” and reported the incident as a navigational hazard, emphasizing the importance of safety at sea.

British authorities, upon receiving reports of the incident, noted that the yacht was about 500 yards away from the warship when the warning shots were fired. This distance is relatively close in nautical terms. The couple’s yacht, noted to be a small, motor-less vessel, had drifted into the path of the frigate amid foggy conditions, which may have contributed to the misunderstanding about their proximity.

A British patrol vessel, HMS Tyne, was dispatched to check on the couple’s safety and gather details about the situation. Victoria Derbyshire from BBC Newsnight, who interviewed the couple, pointed out their bemusement and mild irritation at the Russian Defence Ministry’s characterization of their maritime encounter as a “dangerous collision course.” When asked if the gunfire made them afraid, the Kelvey’s response was surprisingly calm. Jane chuckled, stating she simply crouched down and put her canvas hood over her head for protection while Alan continued to steer the yacht.

Interestingly, this incident happened just days after British forces intercepted a Russian tanker carrying sanctioned oil in the Channel. The Ministry of Defence characterized the warning shots fired by the Admiral Grigorovich as an “isolated incident,” and not connected to the recent seizure of the tanker. Russian warships frequently navigate these waters, and they are routinely monitored by Royal Navy vessels.

The Admiral Grigorovich had been under surveillance by HMS Mersey for several days, as it had been spotted off the coast of Brest, France. It was reported that the frigate had been ordered by Moscow to escort shadow fleet vessels through the Channel, which adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Former Royal Navy rear admiral James Parkin commented on the use of armed force, suggesting that it is a last resort, typically reserved for self-defense. Parkin speculated that the incident might have been a miscalculation rather than a deliberate act against a British yacht close to British waters.

In a time of mounting tensions between the UK and Russia, this relatively minor incident has taken on greater significance, especially since it coincided with heightened alarm about Russia’s assertive behavior from UK defense ministers. The couple’s experience, while seemingly straightforward, opens up questions about maritime safety and international naval conduct in these increasingly tricky waters.

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

British armed forces have intercepted a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel during the early hours of Sunday morning, as confirmed by Sir Keir Starmer. This operation, which lasted a grueling six hours, saw Royal Marine Commandos and specially trained law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency board the vessel, aided by the RAF. The ship, named Smyrtos, is now being held and monitored off the southern coast of England while investigations are underway, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the significance of the operation, stating, “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.” Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis added that Russia “relies on its shadow fleet to fund their conflict in Ukraine,” and this interdiction significantly undermines Putin’s efforts in his illegal war.

This operation was not carried out in isolation; it was backed by aircraft from the Maritime Air Group, including an RAF P-8 aircraft, and naval vessels HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury. The MoD highlighted that Russia has been operating a “shadow fleet” of tankers with dubious ownership structures to dodge international sanctions on its oil exports. This shadow fleet, comprising over 700 vessels, is responsible for transporting a staggering 75% of Russia’s sanctioned oil, providing vital support to the Kremlin. The UK has already imposed sanctions on more than 500 vessels, effectively barring them from UK ports and prohibiting British firms and individuals from providing financial, insurance, or brokerage services to ships involved in supplying or delivering Russian oil. The government has made it clear they are targeting Russia’s oil revenues to “choke off funding for Russia’s war machine” in Ukraine.

The operation was carried out in close coordination with French authorities, reflecting the recent support the UK has extended to its allies. French President Emmanuel Macron noted that on June 1, his military had similarly intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, with UK assistance. A British helicopter had also lent support during that operation, as reported by the UK Ministry of Defence.

This breaking news story is still developing, and more details are expected to emerge shortly. For those wanting to stay updated, you can receive Breaking News alerts on your smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App or follow @BBCBreaking on X for the latest updates. Meanwhile, a campaigner is urging the government to resume investigations into alleged encounters, while allies of the former defence secretary claim that the Treasury attempted to shut down such discussions.

In other news, Swindon is reportedly “rapidly establishing itself as Britain’s military drone manufacturing hub,” while some relatives of Private Thomas Whitaker had never met before his burial ceremony in Belgium.

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber