Currently, a group of six Russian ships, including three carrying Kalibr cruise missiles of the Buyan-M project, is present in the Sea of Azov. The nature of their activities suggests that they are conducting exercises.
This was reported by Dmytro Pletenchiuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.
Pletenchiuk noted that the Sea of Azov currently hosts a strike group, which is larger than that in the Black Sea.
"There are at least six ships there, including three carrying Kalibr cruise missiles of the 'Buyan-M' project and three large landing ships. Considering the nature of their actions and the composition of the group, it can be concluded that this is a training process," said the Navy spokesperson.
He added that due to the shallow nature of the Sea of Azov and limited recommended navigation routes, the Russians are operating in close proximity to civilian vessels, which they use as a "shield."