Russian warship fires warning shots near a UK-registered yacht

A Russian warship fires warning shots near a UK-registered pleasureyacht in the English Channel, authorities say.

The incident caused no damage but illustrates heightenedtensions between the two countries.

British media reports the Russian vessel is the frigate Admiral Grigorovich.

Reports of a Russian warship opening fire at a UK-registered yacht in the EnglishChannel surfaced Tuesday.

The UK Ministry of Defence says the navy vessel fired at the British yacht from 460 metres away, about 30 kilometres south of the Isle of Wight, which is outside British territorial waters.

The BBC reports the yacht, which has no motor, had driftedtowards the Russian vessel in foggy conditions.

There were no reports of injuries or damage to the sailing yacht, which continued its journey from the UK toward France.

Russia's Ministry of Defence says the crew tried to contact the yacht whenit was seen sailing on in close proximity.

It later fired flares and issued sound signals when the yacht did not respond.

Britain's account of the incident was similar, with the Defence Ministry issuing a statement that reads:"These were not aimed at the vessel and were an attempt to prevent a possible collision."

The British military has had several close encounters with Russian vessels and warned Moscow in November that it was ready to deal with

any incursion into its territory after the spy ship Yantar was detected on the edge of UK waters north of Scotland.