Russia warns London against further "provocations", and promises a reply

Russia warned London against further "provocations", such as the approach of a British destroyer to the annexed Crimea peninsula on Wednesday and said it would soon respond.

"We appeal to common sense and respect for international law, but if that doesn't help we can shoot back," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Riabkov told Interfax.

The Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet fired warning shots at the British destroyer "HMS Defender" in the south of Cape Fyolent in Crimea on Wednesday after the crew failed to react to calls from the Russian side to withdraw.

London tried to play down the incident by pointing out that the ship was sailing through "an innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law" and did not hear any warning shots from the Russian side.

The Defence Ministry meanwhile reported that the destroyer, which the Black Sea Fleet had been tracking since 14 June, "was warned in advance about the possible use of weapons in case it violated Russia's state border".

While Moscow considers the strip of sea around Crimea, whose annexation in 2014 has not been internationally recognised, to be Russian, the UK considers it to belong to Ukraine.
 

Riyabkov insisted that Russia's territorial integrity is inviolable and the country will defend its borders by all possible methods, "diplomatic, political, or, if necessary, also military".

The diplomat also warned those who seek to violate Russia's border under the pretext of "free maritime navigation".

The incident with the British destroyer, according to Riabkov, is "very serious" and such acts in the future can have very serious consequences for those who plan such incidents and then try to carry them out.

Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Evmenov also called the incident a "gross provocation" and a violation of all international rights. "The British side should conduct a thorough investigation and issue a verdict on the actions of the (destroyer) captain," he said.

Meanwhile, the UK is prepared to allow its warships to continue to sail in waters near Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, despite an incident with the Russian navy in the Black Sea, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister George Eustice said on Thursday. 

The British Ministry of Defence denied Moscow's claims that its navy fired warning shots at the British destroyer "HMS Defender" south of the Crimean Peninsula, saying it was a military exercise. 

Speaking to Sky television, Eustice insisted there was no Russian warning shots fired at the HMS Defender but did admit to "artillery exercises" in the area.