Moscow/London/Paris: Russia’s 50 fighter jets and bombers have arrived in Crimea to conduct exercises in the Black Sea. Photographs have also surfaced of a Russian warship crossing the Turkish Bosphorus Strait into the Black Sea. Also, France has warned that there was a rising need for the international community to set clear red lines with Russia. 

According to a Russian news agency, Russia’s Southern Military District (YuVO) is set to conduct a major military exercise in the Black Sea region. The Russian Air Force, Navy and air defence systems will also be participating in the drills. The Russian Air Force includes the fighter jets Sukhoi-27SM and Sukhoi-30SM; Sukhoi-24M and Sukhoi-34 bombers; and Sukhoi-25SM3 fighter jets. A fleet of over 50 Russian planes has landed in Crimea. 

Besides, the Russian Navy’s Admiral Makarov frigate armed with Kalibr missiles and the patrol vessels Graivoron and Vyshny Volochek have also left from the Caspian Sea for the Black Sea. News and photographs of Admiral Makarov entering the Black Sea region after crossing over the Bosphorus Strait have been published. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had announced the exercise four days ago. 

Defense Minister Shoigu had warned that the exercise was being held in response to the growing threat from NATO. European media have criticized Russia’s drills in the Black Sea as a warning for passenger planes flying over the region. The media, to make their point, has cited the instance from 2014 of pro-Russian rebels shooting down Malaysia’s ‘MH-17’ plane. 

In such a scenario, the UK would send its warships to the Black Sea, a leading British daily reported citing a senior naval official. An advanced warship from the British Royal Navy will depart for a Black Sea patrol in May. The news outlet said the F-35s and Merlin submarine-hunting helicopter aboard Britain’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier would remain ready to counter any threat. 

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has warned of rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Macron called on the international community and said, ‘I think what happened a few years ago when Ukraine was invaded it’s a failure of diplomacy. Therefore, we need to set red lines for Russia as sanctions alone do not help resolve all problems.”