Classified documents from Britain's defence ministry containing details about a British warship and Russia's potential reaction to its passage through the Black Sea have been found at a bus stop in southern England.

The BBC reported on Sunday that the documents, almost 50 pages in all, were found "in a soggy heap behind a bus stop in Kent early on Tuesday morning" by a member of the public, who wanted to remain anonymous. 

The document dump comes after Russia claimed on Wednesday that it dropped bombs in the path of the British warship Defender off the coast of the Crimea peninsula.

The Ministry of Defence said it had been informed last week of "an incident in which sensitive defence papers were recovered by a member of the public".

"The department takes the security of information extremely seriously and an investigation has been launched. The employee concerned reported the loss at the time. It would be inappropriate to comment further," a spokesperson said.

The BBC reported that the documents, which included emails and PowerPoint presentations, related to the HMS Defender, which sailed through waters off the Crimean peninsula which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014 last week.

Russian aggression expected

Russia said on Wednesday it had fired warning shots and dropped bombs in the path of the ship to chase it out of what the Kremlin says are its territorial waters but which Britain and most of the world say belong to Ukraine.

It later summoned the British ambassador in Moscow for a formal diplomatic scolding over what it described as a provocation.

Britain rejected Russia's account of the incident. 

It said it believed any shots fired were a pre-announced Russian "gunnery exercise", and that no bombs had been dropped.

It confirmed the destroyer had sailed through what it said were Ukrainian waters, describing its path as "innocent passage" in accordance with international law of the sea.

The BBC said the documents suggested the ship's mission was conducted in the expectation that Russia might respond aggressively.

"What do we understand about the possible 'welcome party'…?" asked an official at Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), the UK's tri-service headquarters at Northwood, according to the BBC. Source: TRT

Photo James Odong

The captain of Uganda’s national sevens team last week disappeared from his hotel in Monaco where the team was isolated after some members tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the repechage qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics.

His disappearance was discovered when the team were due to be retested at the end of their isolation periods, the Uganda Rugby Union reported.

“It has been brought to the attention of the Uganda Rugby Union Executive Committee that one of the players, James Odong, has been missing from the hotel room where they had been placed for isolation as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19,” the Uganda Rugby Union said on June 25.

“James travelled on June 16 and on arrival they had to undergo a compulsory isolation in the designated tournament hotel.

“On completion of self-isolation on June 19, they were to undergo another COVID-19 test at a venue outside the hotel.

“James Odong did not turn up for the test and when the team members returned to the hotel, he was not in his room or hotel complex.

“The incident was brought to the attention of the team manager who immediately informed the tournament organisers.
“James is in possession of all his valid travel documents with a valid visa, which expires on June 26.

“Uganda Rugby Union takes discipline very seriously and this matter is being dealt with accordingly.

“We have handed over the matter to the relevant security agencies in Monaco and will cooperate with them, the tournament organiser, the French Embassy, National Council of Sports and any other authority to assist with the conclusion of this matter.”
Two of Uganda’s athletes arriving for the Tokyo Olympics have tested positive in Japan.

The East African country is grappling with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which has seen the country registering over 1,000 cases daily, according to several newswire services, including Xinhua. The country is currently under a partial lockdown aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.

Over the last few years there have been numerous cases of Ugandan athletes absconding when playing abroad. - Ian Brodie, Monaco Daily News

KIGALI, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi met at Rwanda's border town Rubavu on Friday to discuss bilateral relations.

Tshisekedi was received by Kagame at La Corniche One-Stop Border Post in Rubavu before the two leaders toured Rubavu to assess the damage caused by the recent earthquakes following the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo volcano in eastern DRC.

Later in the day, the two presidents held a closed door bilateral meeting in Rubavu.

Rwanda and the DRC enjoy warm bilateral relations, and the two presidents wish to strengthen bilateral cooperation, Vincent Biruta, Rwandan minister of foreign affairs, said at public broadcaster Rwanda Television during an evening news program.

The two countries are looking forward to strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, said Biruta.

According to Biruta, Rwanda and the DRC have recently witnessed an increase in cross border trade, which is key to improving social and economic development between the two neighbouring countries.

He said Rwanda and the DRC have maintained close high-level exchanges, which shows the two countries attach great importance to bilateral relations.

On Saturday, Kagame is expected to reciprocate the visit by visiting Goma town in eastern DRC where he is expected to be welcomed by Tshisekedi.

Delegations from both countries are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties. - Xinhua