Russia is holding a major military exercise in Belarus. At the same time, six large warships reach the Black Sea.
- Ukraine crisis: Russia* holds military exercises in Belarus – warships enter the Black Sea off Ukraine.
- Vladimir Putin* could plan an invasion by sea – experts warn.
- Olaf Scholz* (SPD*): After a visit to the USA* with US President Joe Biden*, the Normandy format should also bring a diplomatic solution. All information in our news ticker.
++ Update, 10:55 a.m .: The Russian Navy has issued a warning that it will temporarily seal off large parts of the Black Sea coast of Ukraine. The reason for this is rocket tests, which are to be carried out in the coming week. A Ukrainian think tank had informed about the warning. This was first reported by the news portal Moscow Times.
According to experts, the sealing off of large parts of the coastal region of Ukraine is tantamount to a naval blockade. In addition to the six Russian warships in the Black Sea, a submarine was also sighted that is apparently on its way to the coastal region.
++ Ukraine crisis: Russia continues to arm itself – warships reach the Black Sea
First report: Kiev – Despite diplomatic efforts, the Ukraine crisis is not over yet. According to media reports, Russia’s conflict with NATO and the USA has reached a new level of escalation: on Thursday morning (February 10, 2022) Moscow reported the start of joint military maneuvers in Belarus. The military exercises near the Ukrainian border, which have been sharply condemned by the West, are said to last until February 20. It is said to be “30,000 combat-ready” Russian soldiers who are currently in Belarus.
Russia: Six warships off Black Sea increase escalation level
The situation in Eastern Europe is, from the point of view of the SPD foreign politician Michael Roth, “highly dangerous”. The Russian head of state Vladimir Putin “further upgrades,” said the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag on Thursday in the ZDF * “Morgenmagazin”. “We have around 120,000 combat-ready soldiers on the Russian-Ukrainian border and now, on top of that, Russia has effectively annexed Belarus militarily.”
Vladimir Putin: Russia could also plan to invade Ukraine by sea
Russian President Vladimir Putin could therefore also consider other options for carrying out an invasion of Ukraine: for example by sea. Officially, Russia denies planning an invasion of Ukraine. Recent reports of Russian warships reaching the Black Sea, however, speak a different language. Accordingly, it is about six warships that drove from the Mediterranean Sea towards the Black Sea.
This is the largest number of warships around Ukraine in years, said Ukrainian Crimea expert and journalist Andrii Klymenko. The ships would accommodate 83 tanks and 2000 troops. If Russia isn’t planning an invasion of Ukraine, then at least a major military exercise, said military expert Rob Lee.
Ukraine stage: Olaf Scholz (SPD) is trying to find a diplomatic solution
A second round of talks as part of the Normandy format will take place this Thursday (February 10, 2022) in Berlin. Talks at the level of foreign policy advisors began on January 26 in Paris. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had previously visited US President Joe Biden in the USA and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock* (Greens*) the Ukrainian government in Kiev. France* and Great Britain* are also trying to find a diplomatic solution: Emmanuel Macron visited Vladimir Putin in Moscow.*
The Normandy format was launched in 2014 to settle the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The mediation between Russia and Ukraine by Berlin and Paris led to the Minsk Agreement of 2015. However, Kiev and Moscow regularly accuse each other of violating the agreement. (df/AFP) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA .
Rubric picture: © OZAN KOSE / afp
