Russia has said one of its warships has fired warning shots to deter a British destroyer near Crimea.

The military ship fired shots at HMS Defender after it entered Russian waters in the Black Sea. A Russian jet also dropped bombs in its path as a warning, according to the Interfax news agency in Russia which was citing Russia's defence ministry.

HMS Defender left Russian waters soon afterwards, having ventured as much as 3km (2 miles) inside, the ministry said.

"The destroyer had been warned that weapons would be used if it trespasses the border of the Russian Federation. It did not react to the warning," it said.

A Russian bomber dropped four high explosive fragmentation bombs as a warning in the British destroyer's path, according to the ministry. 

The incident took place in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. 

The British Ministry of Defence has yet to comment.

Why was the warship there?

The warship has been in the Black Sea region as part of the Air Maritime Integration training with the UK's NATO counterparts.

The UK has said the presence of the HMS Defender is part of an operation that demonstrates the UK's commitment to maintaining a regular Royal Navy presence in the Western Balkans.

The exercises, it said, are designed to underline allies' commitment to preserving the freedom of navigation and reassure Ukraine, Georgia and Romania of its support in the region.

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