Russia: US 'will respond to any recklessness' says Blinken
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
According to The Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin’s navy and air force “expelled” the UK destroyer as it navigated off the coast of Crimea last October. But The Ministry of Defence has blasted Moscow’s announcement as “categorically untrue”.
A spokesman clarified that the vessel was employing its “right of innocent passage” and was not stopped from doing it.
He said: “HMS Dragon was taking the most direct route between two port visits, navigating a recognised safe route for all international shipping within Ukrainian waters.
“The Russian Federation Navy did not impede HMS Dragon’s passage.
“She navigated without incident, exercising our right of innocent passage under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
General Vladimir Kulishov, deputy director of Russia’s FSB, said the UK destroyer dismissed “warnings” not to enter “Russian territorial waters”.
He said: “The destroyer Dragon of the British Navy crossed the state border of the Russian Federation in the area of Cape Khersones in the Black Sea.
“The destroyer’s captain responded with a poor signal to the demand to immediately leave Russian territorial waters.
“As a result of the joint actions with the Russian Navy and the Russian Aerospace Forces, the warship was expelled into neutral waters.”
Last week, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed that Russia’s submarines are circling the British coastline.
He also warned that Moscow is the UK’s “number one threat” in the world.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Wallace explained that a Russian Kilo-class submarine was spotted in the Irish Sea in 2020.
He highlighted that a Russian naval vessel has not been detected in the Irish Sea “for a very, very long time”.
Mr Wallace conceded the UK’s maritime territory was being “regularly visited” by Russian ships.
DON’T MISS
EU left in ’emergency situation’ in the wake of Belarus flight hijack [SHOCK]
Putin ‘willing to exploit Israel-Palestine conflict’ to crush West [WARNING]
Who is Roman Protasevich? Blogger at the centre of Belarus hijack [INSIGHT]
Source: Read Full Article
