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The Russian Foreign Ministry has called the passage of a British warship in the Black Sea that was within earshot of fire from Russian guns “blatant provocation”. UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace has since denied claims from the Russian ministry that Britain’s ambassador had been summoned over the incident.

“As I speak now, our ambassador has not been summoned,” Wallace told lawmakers.“We are not surprised by it, we plan for it and we take all steps to make sure we are not escalatory or indeed provocative.

“However, we will not shy away from upholding international law and our rights on the sea.”

Wallace’s comments came after Russian ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the media that Moscow would summon the British ambassador over the incident.

The Ministry of Defense earlier hit back at a claim by Russia’s Defence Ministry that a British destroyer faced warning shots fired by Russian forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry had said the Royal Navy’s Defender crossed what it defines as the Russian sea border just off the Crimean coast.