Russia starts air defense exercise because of NATO maneuvers in the Black Sea

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Tanks of the Ukrainian army during the opening ceremony of the Black Sea maneuver

Photo: PRESS SERVICE OF THE UKRAINIAN N / REUTERS

In view of the joint maneuver by Ukraine and numerous NATO countries in the Black Sea, Russia has launched an air defense exercise on the annexed Crimean peninsula.

To this end, around 20 fighter jets and helicopters as well as missile systems have been relocated, reported the Interfax news agency, citing the Russian Black Sea fleet.

The movements of the warships of NATO and other countries would be closely monitored, it said.

The tensions between Russia and NATO in the Ukraine conflict had grown recently.

They were also fired recently by an incident involving a British warship and Russian forces in the Black Sea.

Maneuver started despite sharp protests from Russia

According to Russian information, the British warship "HMS Defender" had penetrated up to three kilometers into Russian waters in the past week and only turned after warning shots and bombs had been dropped.

Great Britain denies the account, claiming that the destroyer lawfully moved in international waters.

Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and regards areas around the coast there as Russian waters.

Western countries, on the other hand, continue to view Crimea as part of Ukraine and also contradict Russia's claim to sovereignty in the sea area.

Ukraine's annual Sea Breeze maneuver with NATO countries and other allies began on Monday despite sharp protests from Russia.

Around 5000 soldiers and around 30 warships and 40 aircraft take part in the two-week exercise.

The US armed forces are also involved.

ire / Reuters