It follows from them, writes the BBC, that the British Defense Ministry discussed at the highest level Russia’s reaction to the passage of a destroyer near the Crimea with the assumption that the military might react “aggressively”
British military destroyer HMS Defender
The documents of the British Ministry of Defense, which indicated a possible Russian reaction to the passage of the destroyer Defender off the coast of Crimea, were found at a stop in Kent, according to the BBC, which reviewed them.
In total, there were about 50 sheets in the stack. They were found in a “raw pile” behind the bus stop, the TV channel clarifies, and contained letters and presentations.
The TV channel was contacted by a member of the public after he realized that the documents contained confidential information. The BBC reports that the documents were compiled in the office of a high-ranking employee of the Ministry of Defense.
A representative of the department told the TV channel that one of the employees announced the loss of documents, while he stressed that further comments would be inappropriate. The government said it had launched an investigation, the BBC reports.
The documents found, in particular, stated that the mission of the destroyer Defender, designated as a peaceful passage through the territorial waters of Ukraine, was carried out with the expectation that Russia might react “aggressively”.
It was called Op Ditroite. As follows from the documents, it was discussed at the highest level on Monday, making assumptions, including about the reaction of Russia, the BBC reports.
The papers show that the military leadership considered several options for the passage of the destroyer. One of them is described as “safe and professional”, it includes a short section near the south-western tip of the Crimea. This route, according to the documents, will allow “interacting with the Ukrainian government” on the territory that the UK recognizes as Ukrainian territorial waters”.
Three scenarios of Russia’s response were also outlined, from “safe and professional” to “unsafe and unprofessional” (what was another option, the article does not say).
In addition, the military considered an alternative route outside the disputed waters, the BBC reports. He allowed the ship to avoid confrontation, but gave Russia the opportunity to present the passage of the destroyer as an “escape” of Britain and the state’s acceptance of Russian claims to the Crimea.
The Ministry of Defense also claimed that London has a “strong, legitimate version”, and the presence of journalists on board the destroyer “makes it possible to independently confirm the actions of Defender”.
The BBC TV channel, based on the information contained in the documents, concluded that the passage near the Crimea was a balanced decision of the British government with an awareness of possible risks.
The incident with the Defender pass occurred on June 23. The Russian patrol ship notified the destroyer that it had crossed the border of Russia and ended up in its territorial waters. The Russian military demanded that the British ship leave the territory of the state. In response, Defender announced that it was carrying out a peaceful passage along an internationally recognized route.
As a result, the Russian road ship fired several shots at the course of the British ship, and the fighter jet dropped four bombs, also at its course. The destroyer left Russian waters.
The incident caused a sharply negative reaction from Moscow. In particular, the Kremlin called the passage a “prepared provocation”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that if appeals to common sense do not help, then the Russian military can bomb “not just on the course, but also on the target”.