NEW DELHI: Russia said on Saturday that its warplanes practised bombing enemy ships in the Black Sea during training exercises. There is tension between Russia and the West over NATO drills in the region and recent incident with a British warship.
Last week, Russia challenged right of British navy warship HMS Defender to pass through waters near Crimean. UK maintained that it has every right to do so. Russia has annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. However, most of the world still considers Crimea to be part of Ukraine.
Russia assertively maintained that the vessel had illegally entered its territorial waters. It also accused London of "provocation"
Moscow has said it could bomb British naval vessels if there are more such actions by the British navy off Crimea.
On Saturday, Russia's Black Sea Fleet said warplanes from its aviation units and those of the southern military district had taken part in training drills.
"Aircraft crews ... conducted training flights over the Black Sea, practicing missile and bombing strikes against simulated enemy ships," it was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency.
The drills involved aircraft including Sukhoi Su-30SM multi-purpose fighters, Sukhoi Su-24M bombers, Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers and Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets, the report said.
The exercise comes as NATO, Ukraine and allies conduct their large-scale Sea Breeze drills in the region. Those drills are set to last two weeks and involve about 5,000 military personnel from NATO and other allies, and around 30 ships and 40 aircraft, with U.S. missile destroyer USS Ross and the U.S. Marine Corps taking part.
Moscow had called for the exercise to be cancelled and the Russian defence ministry has said it will react to safeguard national security if necessary. (Agencies)
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