US warship enters the Black Sea, Russia holds military drills

MOSCOW – Russia held a series of air defense and anti-ship military exercises in the Black Sea. The move comes amid protests against the passage of two US warships through waters that are at the center of tensions between the two countries.

“The crew operating the coastal anti-ship system Bal and Bastion carried out a simulated launch as part of an exercise to destroy an artificial enemy ship in the Black Sea,” the announcement by the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces said on Tuesday. Newsweek, Wednesday (11/3/2021).

The maneuvers were carried out from an undercover position in Crimea, a territory annexed by Russia after an internationally disputed referendum held amid a political uprising in Ukraine in 2014. The peninsula has also long hosted the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which also holds training session on Tuesday.

Fleet air defenses are activated and on alert to protect Russian warships from massive missile attacks and simulated enemy air strikes, including mock enemy drones.

The move comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the US military presence in the Black Sea during a meeting with defense industry leaders.

Also read: If US warships make provocations in the Black Sea, Russia is ready to respond

Discussing the need to further enhance aerospace defense, the Russian leader warned leading countries developing innovative attack weapons with advanced speed parameters as well as the increasing number of NATO flights close to Russia, as well as NATO ships with guided missiles appearing in the Baltic and Black Seas.

“Recently, as you know, a US ship entered the Black Sea – it could be seen through binoculars or through our defense systems,” Putin said.

“The US plan to deploy medium-range missiles in Europe is also well known, and it also poses a great danger and threat to us,” he added.

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