'I'm a little surprised the Ministry of Defence is playing it down.' Lord Richard Dannatt, former Head of the British Army, says it was 'unreasonable' for Russia to challenge HMS Defender as the ship had 'every right' to be where she was. KayBurley
The confrontation is thought to have taken place near Cape Fiolent, a landmark on the coast of Crimea.
Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 in a move condemned by the West, which still considers it Ukrainian territory. Appearing later before the Commons Defence Committee, Mr Wallace said the crew of HMS Defender did hear"training noises" to the rear of the ship, but it was"beyond visual range".
The Russian ministry said earlier in a statement:"The destroyer was warned in advance that weapons would be fired in case of a violation of the Russian state border. It disregarded the warning.
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