In the central argument over the contested control of disputed water in the Black Sea, Russian government spokesmen indicated if warnings not to enter their territories are ignored, their missiles will be right on target in the future.
Since buzzing a British destroyer and allegedly dropping warning munitions in its course on Wednesday, Moscow has continued to make public pronouncements. While Russian training drills were actually occurring nearby, no guns were pointing at the British.
The two sides will be meeting soon for a face to face
Dmitry Peskov, the Russian Presidential Press Secretary, has summoned the British defense attaché in Moscow; he lambasted the British for traveling in disputed areas that Moscow considers its territory.
Footage of Russian Black Sea Fleet and Border Service of the Federal Security Service's prevention of the breach of the Russian Federation state border committed by the UK Navy destroyer «Defender» pic.twitter.com/4VnAlMjK4Y
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) June 23, 2021
Peskov charged the UK with conducting a premeditated and planned provocation, even claiming it was in breach of international law, according to certain assumptions.
Putin’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sergei Ryabkov was more direct, telling the Associated Press that the warship HMS Defender must be named HMS Attacker and that Britain was facing enormous risks by testing Russia.
Moscow will be harsher in retaliation to ships entering waters it considers as its own, he claimed. He also added that next time, they might drop bombs straight on target rather than just in the way.
The English have cautioned against overreacting
Whereas the precise circumstances of Wednesday’s events in the Black Sea are still being debated, Moscow claims warning rounds were directed at HMS Defender; while London disputes this, it is apparent that HMS Defender sailed from Odesa to Georgia, crossing near to Crimea.
Great Britain, like the majority of nations around the world, recognizes Crimea as legitimately Ukrainian territory, as do the waters surrounding it. Great Britain further claims that the path it followed was the quickest among the two sites and that it acted in conformity with the provisions.
Russian Ship, Aircraft ‘Fired Warning Shots’ Across Bow of British Warship, Claims Moscow https://t.co/3G49u9UOqk
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) June 23, 2021
On either hand, Russia claims Crimea as its own. Moscow has been military occupying Crimea since 2014 and is currently colonizing the region; although, the global world considers the annexation to be unlawful. As a result, Russia claims that the Royal Navy ship entered its waters Wednesday.
In essence, HMS Defender had undertaken what is known in the military, free navigation especially in vita disputed waterways, strong naval battleships can be sailed past. If the cruise goes through without opposition, it sends a message to everyone that the claimants will not use force to support threats, and that the strait is free to civil and commercial activity.
U.K. denies Russia fired warning shots at British warship near Crimea. https://t.co/jtT619QNeL
— Nightline (@Nightline) June 24, 2021
This free movement trip has become more popular in Asia; China has been asserting claims to vital islands and reefs for years, which, if recognized by the international community, would hand over vast swaths of ocean territory to them.
If other governments and navies are denied access to that maritime zone, it may be disastrous.
