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Britain's former top sailor has raised concerns over the decision to send a Plymouth Royal Navy ship out to the Black Sea as tensions escalate between Russia and Ukraine.

Admiral Lord West warned that sending HMS Echo - a vessel that specialises in survey exercises - and not a more advanced Type 45 destroyer that can 'look after itself' is not a good idea following troublesome sea clashes.

He spoke amid condemnation of Russia for seizing Ukrainian ships and their crew off the coast of Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.

The Ukrainian navy said six of its seamen were wounded when Russian coast guards opened fire late on Sunday on three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait, a narrow stretch of water joining the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov.

(Image: (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Russia said three Ukrainian sailors were slightly injured and given medical assistance.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson recently announced he was to commit more troops to Ukraine as well as send HMS Echo, a hydrographic survey ship built in Appledore, to the Black Sea.

The Ministry of Defence said the vessel’s presence aimed to “demonstrate the UK’s support to ensuring freedom of navigation”.

After the latest seaborne confrontation, Lord West said: “The minister will be aware that it has been stated that we are sending a warship to Black Sea.

“That warship as I understand it is actually a survey ship.

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“If things are hotting up in the Black Sea to send a ship in harm’s way that is not really capable of looking after itself is not a clever idea.

“Should this reviewed and perhaps we should send a ship like the (Type) 45 that is able to look after itself in these circumstances.”

Tory frontbencher Baroness Goldie said: “I am very reluctant to comment on specific operational matters ... The MoD response to such situations is carefully assessed, carefully reviewed, and any decision to deploy our ships would only be made after the most careful assessment of all the circumstances.”

(Image: Mykola Lazarenko, Presidential Press Service via AP)

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Wallace of Saltaire said: “If the Russians succeed in converting the Sea of Azov into an internal sea that would have a devastating effect on the economy of a substantial chunk of Ukraine because of the port of Mariupol.”

Lady Goldie said: “Regrettably I think these developments represent a step change in the creeping annexation by Russia of the Sea of Azov.

“Indeed Russia’s use of force, including use firearms against Ukraine’s vessels, marks clear aggression.

“The actions are a breach of international law.”

She added: “The United Kingdom and our allies have been very clear in our profound disquiet at that action.”

Former UK ambassador to the UN Lord Hannay of Chiswick said: “This act by the Russians is not like all the other things they do in eastern Ukraine – deniable in any way – because it is an act by the Russian navy.

“Is it not also the case that to use force to enforce a blockade is in fact an act of war.”

Lady Goldie said: “It’s certainly an act of aggression and it is a further example of Russia’s ongoing violation of Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

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