Russia on Tuesday said it had activated its S-400 missile systems in the region of Crimea as Ukraine and countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including the United States (US), conducted a series of military exercises in the Black Sea.
In a press release, the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet stated that several of its S-400 batteries joined the Pantsir-S surface-to-air missile systems, alongside 20 warplanes and helicopters, including Su-27 air-defence fighters, for training purposes. It is unclear, however, when Russia conducted the tests.
News reports suggested that Russia is assessing the readiness of its air defence systems in Crimea as an apparent show of strength, since Ukraine and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries are holding military drills in the Black Sea as part of the Sea Breeze 2021 exercise, which commenced on Monday. The military drills will be conducted for over two weeks and are expected to involve around 5,000 military personnel from NATO member states and other allies of the transatlantic security alliance.
In a statement, Russia’s National Defence Management Centre said: “The Black Sea Fleet is doing several things to monitor the actions of ships from NATO and other countries taking part in Sea Breeze 2021.” In the past, Russia has called for the cancellation of multiple military exercises in its backyard. However, such drills have taken place at least 21 times since 1997.
Moreover, the Russian Defence Ministry stated that it is monitoring the actions of the foreign countries in its neighbourhood and will react, if necessary, to ensure national security.
Though Moscow considers Crimea a part of Russian territory, the peninsula is internationally recognised as a part of Ukraine. The Crimean Peninsula, north of the Black Sea, was annexed by the Russian forces between February and March 2014. Since then, it has been administered as two Russian federal subjects—the Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol.
Last week, Russia showed its displeasure when a British warship passed through the disputed waters of Crimea. The Russian Defence Ministry stated that after the British Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Defender entered three kilometres into its territorial waters, it fired warning shots, and the SU-24 jet also dropped four bombs in the Defender’s path to deter it from proceeding further. However, the United Kingdom (UK) claimed that its Royal Navy destroyer was making a routine journey through an internationally recognised travel corridor and remained in Ukrainian waters near Crimea. “Any shots fired were a preannounced Russian gunnery exercise, and no bombs were dropped,” the UK stated.
Subsequently, Moscow sent stern warnings to NATO members, the UK and the US, against “tempting fate” by sending its warships to the Black Sea and stressed that it would defend its borders using all possible means, including military force.
The latest military exercise in the region has unsettled the political equilibrium and added to the list of disputes and geopolitical friction between Moscow and the West.
Russia Tests S-400 Missiles in Crimea Amid Tensions With Ukraine
Russia has reportedly tested the readiness of its air defence systems in Crimea in an apparent show of strength as Ukraine and NATO countries hold military drills in the Black Sea.
July 1, 2021
SOURCE: ALJAZEERA