Russia’s defense ministry announced on Friday that it had conducted a military “combat exercise” in the northwest Black Sea region and fired anti-ship missiles that destroyed a target at sea.
Ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet fired anti-ship cruise missiles “at a target ship in the combat training area in the northwestern part of the Black Sea”said the ministry, quoted by AFP.
“Telemetry and video surveillance data from the unmanned aerial vehicles confirmed the success of the combat exercise. The target ship was destroyed as a result of the missile attack”, Moscow added.
Russia warned on Wednesday it would view ships bound for Ukraine in the Black Sea as “potential military ships” and the countries represented by the flags flying as parties to the conflict.
The Russian Defense Ministry also said that the fleet’s air component was also developing “actions to isolate the area temporarily closed to shipping” and “contain the ship”.
“Several areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for passage,” Moscow said.
Tensions in the Black Sea have escalated since Russia this week pulled out of the deal over Ukraine’s grain exports, crucial to the world’s food supply.
The agreement allowed cargo ships loaded with grain to leave Ukrainian ports through protected shipping lanes.
Source: DN
