Ukraine conflict
Russia is rehearsing naval maneuvers in the Black Sea and Germany is preparing for Ukrainian refugees
In this photo released by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry, the Russian Navy’s amphibious assault ship Kaliningrad enters the port of Sevastopol in Crimea.
© Uncredited/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP/DPA
In the midst of the Ukraine crisis, Russia is preparing for a “major maneuver.” More than 30 warships are in use. Should the situation escalate, Germany is preparing to take in Ukrainian refugees.
Amid the worst tensions in the Ukraine conflict, Russia is holding maneuvers in the Black Sea. Planes, helicopters and ships were also involved, the Black Sea Fleet said on Monday. The location and destruction of submarines had been trained.
The exercise was considered preparation for a larger maneuver, it was said. The goal is to “defend the coast of the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, and naval bases against possible military threats from a potential adversary.” More than 30 warships are in use.
Russia also practices in Belarus
Ukraine had previously advised airlines to avoid airspace over the Black Sea from Monday through next Saturday. In view of the deployment of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine, the US government warned on Friday that Russia could possibly attack the neighboring country before February 20. The Kremlin has vehemently denied such allegations.
Russia is also currently holding maneuvers in Belarus. According to both countries, exercises are also being carried out in the south on the Ukrainian border together with the Belarusian armed forces. Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday, according to a statement from his office, that the decision on the exercise had been made before “the hysteria” broke out about it.
When asked when the Russian troops would withdraw from Belarus again, he said: “We will decide that with Vladimir Putin.” According to the Kremlin, the meeting between Russian President Putin and Lukashenko is scheduled for this week. An exact day was not initially mentioned. The Kremlin had promised to withdraw its troops after the end of the exercise.
“Currently no indications of migration movement”
The federal government is taking precautions in the event that an escalation of the situation in Ukraine could cause people there to flee. Although there are “currently no indications of migration movements in Ukraine,” said a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior on Monday in Berlin. However, there was close coordination within the federal government and also with the European Commission “should there be migration movements from Ukraine”.