London. June 28. INTERFAX - A major US-Ukrainian naval exercise Sea Breeze 2021 will start in the Black Sea on Monday, the US Navy reports.
They will involve 32 warships, 40 aircraft and five thousand military personnel from 17 NATO member countries, as well as alliance partners. In total, military personnel from 32 countries are expected to participate.
"This year's exercises will involve the largest number of participating countries in the entire history of the exercises with the participation of 32 countries from six continents, which sent five thousand military personnel, 32 ships, 40 aircraft and 18 special and diving operations detachments," the report says.
The official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Igor Konashenkov said earlier that the Russian military will closely monitor the preparation and conduct of major military exercises in Ukraine with the involvement of NATO forces Sea Breeze. "The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation will closely monitor the progress of the Ukrainian-American exercise" Sea Breeze" with the involvement of NATO countries and, if necessary, respond adequately to the current situation in the interests of ensuring the military security of the Russian Federation, " Konashenkov said.
According to the US 6th Operational Fleet, during the exercises, combat operations at sea, on land and in the air, including amphibious landings, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft warfare, will be practiced.
On June 26, the American missile destroyer USS Ross entered the Black Sea. It can carry up to 56 Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1.6 thousand km.
"The participation of the USS Ross in the Sea Breeze naval exercises this year is a real demonstration of the US support for Ukraine, which is needed today more than ever," said Christina Queen, US Charge d'affaires in Ukraine.
The British destroyer Defender and the Dutch frigate Evertsen have also been in the Black Sea since June 14.
