'Russia FIRES Warning Shots at British Royal Navy Vessel Near Crimea'

A Russian warship reportedly fired warning shots at a British Royal Navy vessel on Wednesday.

More than 20 Russian aircraft also reportedly shadowed the British warship sailing near Crimea.

The Russian Defence Ministry said their ship fired live rounds after the HMS Defender ignored a notice against intrusion into ‘Russia's territorial waters’.

It said a Russian warplane also dropped four bombs ahead of the British ship to persuade it to change course.

Despite the announcement, Britain’s Ministry of Defence says no warning shots were fired.

Russia maintains that the illegally-annexed Crimean peninsula and its waters are its territory but Britain says its ship was passing through Ukrainian waters.

The incident marks the first time since the Cold War that Moscow has used live ammunition to deter a NATO warship.

Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 was condemned by western nations.

#Russia #RoyalNavy #Crimea