SIMFEROPOL, June 23. /TASS/. Russia's use of weapons in an incident involving the British destroyer HMS Defender off Cape Fiolent, Crimea, was entirely justified from the standpoint of international law, the head of the working group for international legal issues of Crimea's permanent mission at the Russian presidential office, Alexander Molokhov, told TASS.

"It goes without saying that it was a hostile act towards Russia and an encroachment on our territorial inviolability and maritime space. It was a provocation, reconnaissance in combat. I am very glad that despite the provocative actions our border guard forces displayed certain restraint and took no action that might escalate the conflict. It is true that warning shots were fired, and that was enough," Molokhov said.

He pointed out that Russia's response was strictly in line with international law.

"The use of weapons by Russia in its territory was totally justified from the standpoint of international law. I do hope that after such a punch there will be no more attempts to venture into our territory without permission," Molokhov said.

Destroyer HMS Defender incident

Russia's Black Sea Fleet and the FSB's border guard service on Wednesday stopped a violation of Russia's state border by the British destroyer HMS Defender off Cape Fiolent. A patrol ship fired warning shots and a Sukhoi-24M jet dropped bombs, also in a warning gesture, the Russian Defense Ministry said.