Igor Konashenkov called the incident in the Black Sea “an epic fiasco of the provocation of a British destroyer”
The British destroyer Defender, for the interception of which the Russian military opened fire off the coast of Crimea and dropped bombs on the course, is “just a fat target for the anti-ship complexes of the Black Sea Fleet”. Such a statement (received by RBC) was made by the official representative of the military department Igor Konashenkov.
“The epic fiasco of the provocation of the British destroyer Defender in the Black Sea, which abruptly changed course from Russian territorial waters after the warning shots of the patrol ship, will remain a fragrant stain on the reputation of the Royal Navy for a long time,” he said.
“We call on the Pentagon and the command of the British naval forces, which are sending their warships to the Black Sea, not to test their fate in vain, following the lead of the Ukrainian admirals of the mosquito Fleet, to be guided by reason,” he added.
On June 23, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Defender crossed the border of Russia and entered the territorial waters at 3 km near Cape Fiolent. The destroyer did not respond to the warnings of the Russian military. After the Russian patrol ship opened fire, and the Su-24M bomber dropped several bombs, Defender left Russian territorial waters.
Later, the British military department assured that there was no warning shooting, and suggested that the Russian military conducted exercises in the Black Sea. The US Defense Ministry also said that Washington considers “an example of disinformation” from Moscow reports of a warning shooting at the course of movement of a British destroyer.
Video
The FSB of Russia has released a video of the negotiations of the crew of the Russian patrol ship, which confirms that the Russian military has repeatedly called on the British destroyer Defender to change course. The Russian Foreign Ministry considered that this information completely refutes the version of London and Washington.
The Telegraph newspaper reported on June 25 that the decision on the passage of a destroyer off the coast of Crimea was made by British Defense Minister Ben Wallace. The publication claimed that he was supported by the head of government Boris Johnson. The latter did not confirm this, but stated that the warship was entitled to “use international waters”.