Moscow:
Russia’s foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the British ambassador to “strongly protest” what it stated was a British ship’s violation of its territory.
The spat in between Moscow and London erupted Wednesday following the HMS Defender passed close to Crimea in the Black Sea, with Russia saying it fired warning shots at the destroyer to ward it off. Britain denied the claim.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and claims the waters about the peninsula as aspect of its territory. Most nations like Britain did not recognise the takeover and stand behind Ukraine’s claims to the waters.
In a statement Thursday, the Russian foreign ministry stated it had summoned UK ambassador Deborah Bronnert and issued her a “strong protest” more than the British ship’s violation of Russia’s territory and its “provocative and dangerous actions”.
“In the event of a repetition of such provocations, all responsibility for their possible consequences will rest entirely on the British side,” the statement added.
Earlier Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the incident as a “deliberate and prepared provocation.”
Russia’s defence ministry stated that it fired warning shots and even dropped bombs along the HMS Defender’s path just before the ship left its territory.
London stated it believed Russia was “undertaking a gunnery exercise” and had offered prior warning of its activity.
Incidents involving Western aircraft and ships are not uncommon at Russia’s borders, specially throughout heightened tensions with Washington, Brussels and London, but seldom outcome in open fire.
Wednesday’s incident comes ahead of the Sea Breeze 2021 military manoeuvres to be held June 28 to July 10 in the Black Sea.
The workouts, bringing collectively more than 30 nations, incorporate the United States and Ukraine.
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