Russia fired at NATO ship near Crimea or not: secret documents surfaced in Britain

Secret documents from the British Department of Defense, containing information about the destroyer Defender and the British military, were found at a bus stop in Kent. The edition told in more detail with the BBC.

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Some documents discuss the possible reaction of Russia to the passage of the ship through Ukrainian waters off the coast of Crimea. Others detail plans for a possible British military presence in Afghanistan after the end of the US-led NATO operation there.

The government said it has launched an investigation into the incident.

A representative of the Ministry of Defense said that their employee had lost confidential documents. They also declined to comment further.

The documents, which are nearly 50 pages long, were wet and lay in a pile behind a bus stop in Kent. A member of the public, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted the BBC when he realized what the find was.

Reporters believe that the documents, in particular emails and PowerPoint presentations, belong to the office of a Defense Department official.

Documents regarding the Type 45 Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender show that the mission, described by the Ministry of Defense as an "innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters," with cannons covered and a helicopter in the ship's hangar, was carried out with the expectation that Russia could react aggressively.

On Wednesday 23 June, more than 20 Russian aircraft and two Coast Guard ships followed the warshipwhen it passed off the coast of Crimea.

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The Russian Defense Ministry said the patrol ship fired warning shots and the jet dropped bombs in the path of the destroyer, but the British government denied this.

Documents indicate that the mission, dubbed Op Ditroite, has been the subject of high-level discussions, with officials discussing Russia's reaction if the HMS Defender comes close to Crimea.

The recent interaction in the eastern Mediterranean between Russian forces and an aircraft carrier strike group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth was unremarkable and “in line with expectations,” the document says.

“With the transition from defensive to operational activities, it is very likely that Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces activities will become more frequent and more assertive,” one presentation said.

A series of slides prepared at the Permanent Joint Control Center (PJHQ) show two route options, one of which is described as “safe and professional direct transit from Odessa to Batumi”, which includes a small section through the Traffic Separation Scheme (CPP) at the south -western tip of Crimea.

This route, the slide says, "will provide an opportunity to interact with the Ukrainian government in waters that the UK recognizes as Ukrainian territorial waters."

Three potential Russian responses were outlined, ranging from “safe and professional” to “unsafe, not professional”.

In the latter case, Russia would react aggressively, with warning radio signals, coast guard vessels approaching 100 meters, and the use of military aircraft.

An alternative path was considered that would avoid confrontation. However, in this case, Russia could present this as proof that Great Britain belatedly accepted Moscow's claims to the territorial waters of Crimea.

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Amid controversy over the HMS Defender mission, documents found in Kent confirm that the passage through the CPP was a deliberate decision by the British government to show support for Ukraine, despite the potential risks.

Power diplomacy

This, of course, was the use of a warship for diplomatic purposes. But his main goal was not to tease Russia. This is about freedom of navigation and a clear confirmation of Ukraine's sovereignty after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014.

According to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the passage of a foreign vessel is considered "innocent" when "it does not harm the peace, order or security of the coastal state."

In the eyes of the majority of the world, this state is Ukraine, not Russia.

What else does the docs say

The package of documents also contained information about the British arms export campaign, in particular, that in certain areas Britain may find itself in competition with European allies.

The documents also contain notes for the session of the British-American dialogue on defense issues, in particular, observation of the first months of the presidency of Joe Biden.

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The Biden administration's focus on China and the Indo-Pacific region shows that "there is still a lot of continuity from the previous administration."

Most of the documents had a relatively low level of secrecy.

But one document, addressed to private secretary Ben Wallace, reads Secret UK Eyes Only and lays out recommendations for a British military trail in Afghanistan following the end of NATO's Operation Resolute Support.

The document discusses the American request for British assistance in several specific areas, and also considers the question of whether British special forces will remain in Afghanistan after the completion of the withdrawal of troops.

The UK is already considering leaving some of its forces, according to media reports.

The journalists decided not to disclose details that could threaten the safety of British or other personnel in Afghanistan.

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