News - Middle East: Russia has warned the United States and Britain are "tempting fate" by sending warships into the Black Sea amid the war with Ukraine.

"We call on the Pentagon and the British navy, which are sending their warships into the Black Sea, not to tempt fate in vain," Major General Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesperson said in a televised statement on Friday.

Russia will defend its borders using all possible means including military force, he warned, noting, British warships sailing off the Russian coast in Crimea are "not more than a target" for Russia's Black Sea fleet's defense forces.

HMS Defender, a British destroyer sailed through the Black Sea on Wednesday. Russia said its defense forces had fired warning shots and dropped bombs in the path of the British warship sailing through waters off the coast of Crimea, reportedly en route to Georgia. The UK said it had been informed beforehand of Russian military exercises.