Russia Summons UK Envoy To "Strongly Protest" Warship Incident

The Russian foreign ministry said it had summoned UK ambassador Deborah Bronnert and issued her a "strong protest" over the British ship's violation of Russia's territory

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the British ambassador to "strongly protest" what it said was a British ship's violation of its territory. The spat between Moscow and London erupted Wednesday after the HMS Defender passed near 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 around the peninsula as part of its territory. Most countries including Britain did not recognise the takeover and stand behind Ukraine's claims to the waters. In a statement Thursday, the Russian foreign ministry said it had summoned UK ambassador Deborah Bronnert and issued her a "strong protest" over the British ship's violation of Russia's territory and its "provocative and dangerous actions".