Ignore protests Russia, Ukraine and US hold military drills in the Black Sea

KIEV – Ukraine and United States of America (USA) will start military exercises involving more than 30 countries in the Black Sea and Ukraine South. This exercise is still being held despite protests from Russia.

The Sea Breeze 2021 military exercise will last for two weeks and involve about 5,000 military personnel from NATO and other allies, as well as about 30 ships and 40 aircraft. The US missile destroyer USS Ross and the US Marine Corps will take part.

Ukraine, as reported by Reuters on Monday (28/6/2021), said its main goal was to gain experience in joint action during multinational peacekeeping and security operations. Also read: Threatened by China not getting a COVID-19 vaccine, Ukraine shrinks

The Russian embassy in Washington last week called for the drills to be cancelled, and Russia’s defense ministry said it would react if necessary to protect its own national security.

Relations between Kiev and Moscow plummeted after Russia seized Crimea and over Russia’s support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Also read: Four Months Handcuffed to Test Couple’s Love, This Ukrainian Couple Breaks Up Too

Tensions rose again this year when Russia assembled troops on the border with Ukraine, some of them remaining with their equipment.

(ian)

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