The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, announced the holding by the Ukrainian army of large-scale exercises in the Sea of Azov, reports Ukrinform agency on Thursday.
“I want to provide information about which I haven’t told anyone yet that the Ukrainian military are also planning to hold serious exercises in the Sea of Azov,” he said, answering the question which Kiev would take actions in response to the planned exercises of Russia in the Sea of Azov. According to him, in addition to strengthening the coast guard, it is also envisaged to build up the aviation component.
On the eve, Turchinov said that Ukraine would continue to expand its military presence in the Sea of Azov to repel "possible aggression." In particular, a shipboat group has already been created.
On September 12, the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Armed Forces of Ukraine) Sergey Popko reported that, by decision of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the grouping of the Armed Forces, including ground forces, in the Azov direction was strengthened, and the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Yuriy Lavrenyuk informed about the transfer of armored boats there. These steps are being implemented as part of a set of measures to strengthen the military presence of Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, approved on September 6 by the NSDC by decree of Petro Poroshenko.
Meanwhile, State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Grigory Karasin said in an interview with TASS that the Ukrainian authorities by their statements "on the verge of permissible" provoke the situation in the Sea of Azov. According to him, Russia acts in the Sea of Azov in full compliance with its obligations.
