Great Britain denies that Russia has fired warning shots in the direction of British battleship
23 June, 15.37
The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom denies that Russia fired warning shots in the direction of HMS Defender destroyer in Black Sea because of the breach of the border. The Ministry’s press office stated on it’s Twitter account.
“No warning shots have been fired at HMS Defender. The Royal Navy ship is conducting innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law.”
British Ministry of Defence remarked that the Russians were undertaking a gunnery exercise in the Black Sea and provided the maritime community with prior-warning of their activity.
"No shots were directed at HMS Defender and we do not recognise the claim that bombs were dropped in her path", – added the Department.
Context
- On June 23, the Ministry of Defence of Russia declared that the British destroyer battleship “trespassed the border” of Russia near Cape Fiolent (southwestern coast of Russian occupied Crimean Peninsula). An attack aircraft dropped bombs in the path of the ship, and a coast guard patrol ship fired warning shots. After several minutes the destroyer left the “territorial sea” of Russia.
- It was not clarified which one of the Defenders was allegedly attacked by Russia, but on June 22, 73rd Naval Center of Special Operations of the Navy of Ukraine informed on its Facebook page that Ukrainian and British troops have had a joint training session on board of the destroyer of that type. It was docked in Odesa, the UK and Ukraine made a pact on board on support for the Ukrainian Naval Forces.
- After military personnel fired “warning shots” at the Defender destroyer, the military attaché at the embassy of the UK in Moscow was summoned to the Ministry of Defence of Russia.
- In 2014 Russia occupied Crimea and commenced armed aggression in Eastern Ukraine. Fighting is continuing between the Armed Forces of Ukraine on one side and Russian army and Russian-supported militias that control parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, on the other side. Officially, Russia does not recognize its invasion in Ukraine ignoring facts and evidence provided by Ukraine.