“A serious challenge for Russia”: Putin says NATO uses strategic aviation with weapons in the Black Sea

Published:

13 November 2021 08:02 GMT

The president said that for the time being, the Russian military is limited to protecting NATO aircraft and ships.

Vladimir Putin announced on Saturday that the United States’ unplanned exercises in the Black Sea pose “a serious challenge” to Russia. “Not only have they formed a fairly powerful naval group, but aviation is also used during these exercises, including strategic aviation,” the Russian president said in an event on the Rossiya 1 channel.

Putin noted that the Defense Ministry has proposed that the Russian military also conduct exercises in the Black Sea region, but he estimates this is not necessary. “There is no need to escalate tensions further,” the president insisted.

• From 30 October, the destroyer USS Porter of the US Navy, with long-range cruise missiles ax riding, it remains In the waters of the Black Sea, as well as supply ships USNS John Lenthal and flagship USS Mount Whitney, which reached the region on November 3 and 4, respectively. In total, 12 North American ships passed through the Black Sea from January to November this year.
• This Tuesday, in addition, the Russian army they condemned US follow-up aircraft approaching 35 km from the national border E-8C,
• In addition, in the immediate vicinity of the Russian borders Have you seen According to Russian defense, three aircraft of the US and its allies. This is an American reconnaissance aircraft RC-135, which started from the base in Crete (Greece) and reached a distance of 30 kilometers from the Russian border; a P-8A Poseidon, from America, which passed 70 kilometers from Russia; And a C-160G Belongs to France, which took off from Romania and reached a distance of 30 kilometers from the Russian border.