Russia sent 20 ships Su-25SM3 fierce exercises in the Black Sea into Ukraine.
The Russian exercise comes amid heightened tensions with Ukraine and NATO involving Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Tass quoted information from the Russian Black Sea Fleet said that this force on April 20 sent 20 warships to participate in the exercises with the Su-25SM3 attack of the Southern Military Region.
“A naval group consisting of the escort ships of Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, small missile ships Graivoron, Vishny Volochyok and missile ships, small anti-submarines and large attack landing craft participated in the engagement. exercise. war. simulation of repelling enemy air attacks, ”said the Black Sea Fleet's statement.
Participating in the exercise were 3 fighter batteries of the Southern Military Region equipped with attack missiles to avoid air defense attacks by enemy ships. The pilots fly at very low altitudes in complex conditions, with the purpose of testing after winter training.
Before that, more than 50 Southern Military Region aircraft were dispatched to Crimea to test their combat readiness. The above moves took place in the context of tensions between Russia and the West that have yet to cool down.
According to Reuters, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on April 20 complained that the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) have so far not intended to impose an economic embargo on Russia.
Mr. Kuleba spoke after attending a meeting with EU foreign ministers and calling for Russian sanctions. In addition, he also expressed his wish for a diplomatic solution with Russia to resolve bilateral tensions related to eastern Ukraine and Crimea, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it had refused.
According to Foreign Minister Kuleba, the number of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine will soon increase to more than 150,000.
Meanwhile, Reuters quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu accused the US and NATO of engaging in "provocative activities" in the waters and airspace in the Black Sea. In addition, he criticized Ukraine for its efforts to destabilize the Donbass region.
