Russia says NATO plans to transfer modern weapons to Ukraine
As NATO and Russia continue a dispute over Ukraine’s eastern region of the Donbass, a Russian military official has said modern weapons will be delivered to Ukraine under the guise of NATO’s annual military drill in the strategic Black Sea.
Major-General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, said on Wednesday that the United States and its allies were using the Russian military presence on the border as an excuse to arm Ukraine with advanced weaponry.
“While Western countries keep accusing Russia of allegedly building up the military potential at its southwestern borders, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and the United States Joint Forces Command intend to stage the joint exercise Sea Breeze in the European zone with assistance of NATO countries on 28 June – 10 July,” Konashenkov was quoted as saying.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, about 4,000 NATO military personnel will be deployed as well as 40 navy ships, boats, and auxiliary vessels, 30 aerial units, and over 100 vehicles and armored units in the Black Sea. The main participants of the exercise would be Ukraine, the United States, Canada, Britain, and Turkey, among other partner states.
Special Forces from various NATO countries will also be deployed in Ukraine as part of the drill.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Konashenkov said, “Although the exercise is classified as a sea one, the scope of its military activity will go far beyond the Ukrainian part of the Black Sea.”
“The Russian Defense Ministry will closely follow preparations for and the actual Ukrainian-American exercise Sea Breeze involving NATO countries. If necessary, the Defense Ministry will respond adequately to safeguard the military security of the Russian Federation.”
Russia accuses the United States and NATO of “provocative activities” in the waters and the airspace of the Black Sea.
Moscow also says Kiev is working to destabilize the Donbass.
Washington and its allies are concerned about Russia’s military build-up along Ukraine’s borders as well as in the Crimean Peninsula. The Kremlin says its deployments are in response to “threatening” military action by NATO.
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