Why would a UK Navy vessel, be travelling so close to Crimean Coast.

I know it’s been said these are Ukraine waters and that they are travelling in an International shipping lane. But why is the ship there and needs to go anywhere near disputed territory? Surely we’re not trying to antagonise the Russians? I caught the last part of a news bulletin earlier today that claimed this Uk ship was part of a bigger ‘Force’ heading for Indo-Asian waters, but for some reason this ship ‘splintered away’ into the Black Sea??
Edit:
HMS Defender - one of six navy Type 45 destroyers - is part of the UK Carrier Strike Group currently heading to the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Surely we’re not trying to antagonise the Russians?

This.

 

Well if we are it’s a silly and very dangerous thing to do. I know Putin’s been bullying and playing all sorts of mind-games with the West, but let’s not sink to his level

 

Sounds like an opening line to a bad joke

 

Seems strange that on board was a reporter.
Why ?????

 

Yes, It didn’t say in the report why he was there

 

Russia should just shut up and go away - Williamson C.2017.

 

Possibly flexing our muscles and showing the Russians we can do as we please....the route was cleared by the high powers of the UK government who standby ....international shipping lanes recognised by all....and therefore claim we are doing no wrong in sailing this route...
A dangerous game of cat and mouse played by both sides....if you ask me......

Get ready for either a war or an invasion of some sort if and when the polls show Boris behind....he and his mob are keen on pushing Britain's one nation agenda...no doubt white nation that is if his past record has anything do with it....national service next on the list ....fist pumping and pounding that's the way forward old boy....stiff upper lip....what

 

To collect our new manager?

 

Stirring stuff. Really stoked my patriotism when he came out with that gem.

 

Why do the Russian navy frequently sail in or close to British territorial waters? To test our resolve. So why then shouldn’t a British Navy vessel freely sail in international waters?

 

Just like when they flew jets over the UK

 

Not just jets, strategic nuclear bombers too.

 

Because we are massive.

 

Because "our" waters lie on the direct route from the Northern Russian Baltic and Barents Sea naval bases to the Black Sea/Pacific Naval Bases?

 

Guys just been on BBC news saying they are allowed to be there and part of this is about Russia trying to bully nations in who can and cannot sail in the area and if they allow them to get away from it, China will start to do it too.

 

Russians trying to legitimise the annexation of Crimea by the stating that the waters are owned by them. UN clearly stated the waters don't belong to them. Russian's also talking rubbish about dropping warning charges into the water. Putin once again telling bear wrestling stories.

 

The Royal Navy will have been acting on behalf of NATO and as with all NATO bloc nations regularly send ships to the black sea.
If you’ve watch the Life at Sea documentary’s it’s all about supporting the Ukrainians with a presence.

I’m pretty sure Defender wasn’t in Russian waters. The Type 45 is one of, if not the most advanced ships in the world so won’t end up where it’s not supposed to be.
East and west regularly test each other’s defences by poking the bear. The RAF get at least one QRA every couple of weeks with Russian aircraft approaching our airspace.

 

Same reason Russian warship sailed down English Channel- test each other out on a regular basis

 

We're travelling in international waters in order to give those on the BBS and whose automatic instinct is to bash their own country , a chance to fly the flag for Russia!!