Russia holds navy drills in Black Sea

More than 20 Russian warships entered the Black Sea on Wednesday to rehearse communications, safe manoeuvring in areas with intensive navigation and air defence, according to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, as Moscow stages sweeping military exercises involving all of its fleets.

Russian military moves are being closely watched by the West at a time when a troop build-up near its border with Ukraine has sparked fears of a conflict. Moscow has denied its plans to launch an attack on Ukraine.

Moscow said last week it would stage a series of drills involving all its fleets in the seas directly adjacent to Russia. The exercises will also include manoeuvres in the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, the northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific.