Russia news live: Latest updates as Moscow says warning shots fired at UK warship

The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, has said the HMS Defender left an internationally recognised traffic separation corridor in the Black Sea “safely”.

He said: “This morning, HMS Defender carried out a routine transit from Odesa towards Georgia across the Black Sea.

“As is normal for this route, she entered an internationally recognised traffic separation corridor. She exited that corridor safely at 0945 BST.

“As is routine, Russian vessels shadowed her passage and she was made aware of training exercises in her wider vicinity.”

No warning shots were fired and no shots were directed at HMS Defender, the MoD has said.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “No warning shots have been fired at HMS Defender.

“The Royal Navy ship was conducting innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law.”

They said Russian forces were undertaking a gunnery exercise “in the vicinity of HMS Defender” and said the MoD does “not recognise the claim that bombs were dropped in her path”.

They said: “The Russians were undertaking a gunnery exercise in the vicinity of HMS Defender and provided the maritime community with prior-warning of their activity. Russian aircraft were also exercising in the area.

“There were no warning shots fired and no shots were directed at HMS Defender. We also do not recognise the claim that bombs were dropped in her path.

“HMS Defender is taking the most direct and internationally recognised route between Ukraine and Georgia.

“The UK does not recognise Russia’s claim to Crimea and we will continue to uphold the international consensus that Russia’s annexation of Crimea is illegal.

“The UK acted and will continue to operate in accordance with international maritime law and line with ours and other Nato allies’ previous behaviour. Safe conduct at sea is always paramount.”

Labour’s shadow foreign secretary has called on the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, to make a statement to the House of Commons on Russia’s claims.

Lisa Nandy said: “The foreign secretary must urgently come to the House to confirm the validity of these deeply concerning reports and outline what steps the UK is taking to ensure the safety of British forces in the Black Sea.”

The Ministry of Defence has denied claims by Russia that its forces fired warning shots at a Royal Navy destroyer after it entered the country’s territorial waters in the Black Sea.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the MoD said: “No warning shots have been fired at HMS Defender.

“The Royal Navy ship is conducting innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law.

“We believe the Russians were undertaking a gunnery exercise in the Black Sea and provided the maritime community with prior-warning of their activity.

“No shots were directed at HMS Defender and we do not recognise the claim that bombs were dropped in her path.”

Here is our article as the news broke from our Moscow correspondent, Oliver Carroll:

Hello and welcome to live coverage as the Ministry of Defence dismisses reports from Russia that warning shots were fired atHMS Defender.