Russian Defense Minister: US warships entering the Black Sea is not "sightseeing" but "provocation"

Source: CCTV news client

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said on a television broadcast on November 7 that Russia is preparing to conduct military exercises in the Black Sea region in response to joint military operations between the U.S. Navy and NATO allies in the Black Sea.

"When a warship of a non-regional power sails into the Black Sea, we first consider that this warship carries long-range precision strike weapons," Shoigu said. So, it's not for sightseeing. We naturally monitor and track it in response to provocations that may occur at any time. This provocation occurred not long ago and was related to a British ship. We certainly don't sit idly by and let such an event happen. ”

Shoigu said the West's temptation to russia's Black Sea defense has never stopped. So, he believes that the entry of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet flagship, Mount Whitney, into the Black Sea is not an isolated incident. According to Russian estimates, mount Whitney will hold joint military exercises with russia's neighbors Georgia and Ukraine's fleets in the near future. In response, Russia has also planned military exercises.

Shoigu did not disclose the specific date of the Russian military exercise in the interview. (Reporter Song Yiping)