Classified documents from the UK's Ministry of Defence containing information about naval ship HMS Defender that entered disputed waters off the coast of Crimea on Wednesday were found at a bus stop in Kent, southern England, and handed to the BBC.

The BBC said the 50 pages of documents, including emails and PowerPoint presentations and Russia's potential reaction to the incident, were found "in a soggy heap behind a bus stop early on Tuesday morning" by a member of the public who wants to remain anonymous.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence commented on the finding, "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." 

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The incident was described as "as embarrassing as it is worrying for ministers" by the opposition Labour Party.

On Wednesday, Russian authorities reported firing warning shots at HMS Defender when it entered Russian waters in the Black Sea, off the coast of Crimea.

The Russian account of the incident was later denied by UK authorities, who said their military vessel was "conducting an innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law." Prime Minister Boris Johnson explained that the UK does not recognize Russia's claim of Crimea and nor does the United Nations.

The sensitive documents recovered in Kent would imply that the British military was expecting an aggressive reaction from Russia following the Royal Navy destroyer's passage into the disputed waters.

According to the BBC report, the documents outlined three potential Russian responses, from "safe and professional" to "neither safe nor professional."

A document marked "Secret: UK eyes only" also discussed the potential presence of the military in Afghanistan after NATO announced it would cease operations in the territory by September.

The BBC decided not to publish any information on this sensitive document that could endanger the position of military personnel in Afghanistan.

_{Cover image: /Reuters/Yoruk Isik/File}