Starmer Says Russian Actions Show a More Dangerous World, Vows Tougher Pressure on Moscow

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned a Russian naval ship’s warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel, calling the incident “very reckless and concerning.” Speaking on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, he said Britain faces daily Russian “proxy attacks” and that the world has become “dangerous and unstable.”

According to Britain’s Ministry of Defence, the Russian warship Admiral Grigorovich fired several warning shots at the private yacht Bright Future after it came dangerously close, about 150 meters away, and ignored earlier warnings. The episode took place about 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight. Moscow’s defence ministry offered a different account, saying the yacht was on a “dangerous course” and that the shots were meant to prevent a possible collision after attempts to contact it failed.

Starmer said the incident should never have happened and expressed solidarity with the yacht’s passengers. He also linked it to wider Russian activity, saying, “We are dealing with an aggressive Russia. Russia and Iran are responsible for proxy attacks in Britain and across Europe, and we must remain alert.”

The prime minister also referred separately to the conviction of two men over a plot to carry out arson attacks on his private properties, saying the activity was directed by an online figure with Russian links, though he kept that case distinct from the Channel incident. At the G7, Starmer said he intends to tighten sanctions on Russia and strengthen Ukraine’s resilience, while also supporting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. He also noted that British forces recently seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the Channel in a six-hour operation involving Royal Marine commandos, specialist National Crime Agency officers, and air support from the Royal Air Force.