In The Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that Russian planes flew into the zone of exercises in the Black Sea In Ukraine, it was reported that Russian reconnaissance planes flew several times into the zone over the Black Sea, where anti-aircraft troops were training. In Kiev, they consider the incident a provocation
Su-24MR aircraft
Russian reconnaissance planes violated the rules for the use of airspace and flew several times into the zone over the Black Sea, which Ukraine has reserved for military exercises. This is stated on the Facebook page of the Command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“The Su-24MR and Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft of the Russian Federation have grossly violated the procedure for using the airspace, repeatedly flying into the restricted zone that Ukraine has reserved for conducting exercises,” the report says.
At the same time, according to Kiev, Russian planes were in the area where anti-aircraft troops were training. The reconnaissance planes crossed the directions in which the Ukrainian units fired anti-aircraft guided missiles. “Russian planes crossed the combat courses of targets of the VR-3 type “Flight”, which were used by Ukrainian anti-aircraft guided missiles, ” the message says. In Kiev, they called the incident a provocation and said that the Russian pilots were in danger.
RBC sent a request to the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense.
On September 22, military exercises “United Efforts” 2021 ” began in Ukraine, which will last until September 30. They involve units of 25 countries, including 11 NATO members. The commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, said that the maneuvers will be held at all the main military training grounds of the country, as well as in the Black and Azov Seas. About 12.5 thousand military personnel and more than 600 units of weapons and military equipment will be involved.
As the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense pointed out, the main goal of the exercises is to increase the defense potential of Ukraine and improve compatibility with the armed forces of the NATO member states.
On September 22, at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky advised the alliance to increase its presence in the Black Sea. The President added that Kiev is ready to actively participate in joint actions with NATO countries, and expressed interest in increasing the number of joint exercises.
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