Russians launch military exercises following standoff with Royal Navy ship

Mig-31K jets carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles were taking part in the exercises in the Mediterranean (Pavel Golovkin/AP)

The Russian military has launched sweeping manoeuvres in the Mediterranean Sea featuring warplanes capable of carrying hypersonic missiles, a show of force amid a surge in tensions following an incident with a British destroyer in the Black Sea.

Moscow said one of its warships fired warning shots and a warplane dropped bombs in the path of British destroyer HMS Defender on Wednesday to force her out of an area near the Crimea that Russia claims as its territorial waters.