OREANDA-NEWS The Ukrainian military conducted exercises on the coast of the Azov Sea, the conditional purpose of which was to test the shelling of enemy landing ships. This was reported on Friday by the press service of the "Operation of the United Forces" ( previously a military operation in the Donbass).

"The units of the operational and tactical group "Vostok" of the United forces during the tense exercises demonstrated how to destroy enemy landing ships and protect the sea coast," the press service informed, specifying that the exercises were held on the coast of the Azov Sea.

In particular, the Ukrainian military during exercises mined the coast, and also fired at the conditional opponent with use of jet system of volley fire "Hurricane". "During the training, military engineers quickly conducted mining of landing-dangerous areas of the shore and sea approaches to them. At the same time, the missile and artillery division of the "Hurricane" conditionally fired at enemy landing ships on the approaches to the shore," the report said.

During the exercise, military units also used aerosol cloaking, which reduces the likelihood of detection of the object.

Ukraine in 2018 year took a course to build up forces in the Sea of Azov. Along with the creation of the naval base, the beginning of the full functioning of which is expected before the end of the year, Kiev is concentrating in the area of aviation, ground forces and border guards units. In addition, Kiev periodically conducts military exercises on the coast, the previous ones were in October.

In addition, Ukraine accused Russia of blockade of the Azov Sea, saying that it conducts unjustified inspections of ships during their passage through the Kerch Strait. The national security and defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) approved a set of measures to protect national interests in the black and Azov seas and the Kerch Strait.

In October, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it noted that the situation in the sea of Azov is considered as unstable and expresses concern that it may develop into an open conflict. In Strasbourg expressed " regret that the sea of Azov is turning into a new Maritime sphere of military action of Russia against Ukraine."

Deputy foreign Minister of Russia Grigory Karasin, in turn, said that Russia does not plan to increase military power in the sea of Azov, despite the strengthening of the Ukrainian presence there. He stressed that, despite the attempts of certain forces in Kiev to artificially create a new international problem in the sea of Azov, the Russian Federation behaves predictably and in accordance with international law.

On Monday, November 19, following the meeting of the EU Council in Brussels, the head of EU diplomacy Federica Mogherini said that the foreign Ministers of 28 EU countries expressed concern about the situation in the Sea of Azov and discussed the adoption of appropriate "targeted measures". According to this information, Brussels will announce these measures after they are officially prepared by the European Commission.