Russia deploys fighter jets to Crimea in anticipation of a Ukrainian attack.
Despite asserting that it would not wage war against Ukraine, Russia has still sent more fighter jets to the Crimean Peninsula.
On December 17, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it was deploying more than 10 Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets to the Crimean Peninsula. These aircraft will be permanently stationed at the recently upgraded and expanded Belbek air base on the peninsula.
This is believed to be the latest warning from Moscow after a series of accusations that Ukraine is being incited and preparing to carry out "provocative actions" near the Crimean Peninsula.
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Russia has deployed 10 additional fighter jets, including Su-27s and Su-30s, to a military base in Crimea. |
Earlier, on December 13, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a warning that the Kiev authorities were likely to take military provocations in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine in the coming days. The self-proclaimed authorities in Donetsk and Lugansk (in the Donbass region) also reported that Ukraine had deployed up to 12,000 troops, 50 tanks, 40 rocket launchers, and 180 artillery pieces and mortars close to the areas controlled by these self-proclaimed separatist states.
Regarding the deployment of fighter jets to Crimea, many believe that Russia is not only maintaining its ability to respond quickly to unexpected Ukrainian military actions to protect the Crimean Peninsula and support Donbass, but also aims to increase its long-term military presence in this sensitive region.
Furthermore, Russia also maintains a large presence of troops and modern military equipment in the border region with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has also accused the presence of Russian troops on the border of causing unease in Kyiv.
However, alongside Russia's troop movements on December 17, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow would not launch a war with Ukraine. In an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda, Lavrov emphasized: "We will not launch a war with Ukraine, I promise you that."
The Russian Foreign Minister asserted that there was no need to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine and expressed belief that the majority of Ukrainian citizens desired a return to normal relations with Russia.
Lavrov stated that Kyiv would continue its provocative actions in the border region between the two countries, and that Russia would respond forcefully if President Poroshenko proceeded with this plan.