Russian Navy Conducts Live Fire Exercise in Black Sea Amid Tensions

Russia’s defense ministry announced that its navy carried out a live fire “exercise” in the northwest Black Sea. This action came after the Kremlin stated that ships traveling to Ukraine through the waterway could be considered potential military targets.

During the exercise, the Black Sea Fleet conducted live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at a designated target ship within the combat training range in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. The target ship was successfully destroyed as a result of the missile strike.

Additionally, as part of the joint exercise, the ships and fleet aviation practiced actions to isolate an area temporarily closed to navigation and conducted measures to detain an offending ship.

Russia recently declared that cargo ships en-route to Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea might be suspected of carrying military cargo, and they canceled a grain exports deal with Ukraine.

Furthermore, the Kremlin identified unspecified areas in the “northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea” as “temporarily dangerous for passage.”

Russia also warned of the risks associated with establishing Black Sea shipment routes without Moscow’s involvement, emphasizing the need for their participation.