Military expert: Russia could involve the Navy and Air Force in a large-scale operation from Crimea
Mikhail Samus, the Deputy Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies (CACDS), claimed in an interview with Krym.Realii that Crimea may be involved in a “big operation” in terms of air and sea power. He made reference to three groups of Russian shock troops stationed in the north, east and south of Ukraine, noting that Crimean land forces are not likely to comprise a main attack.
"The support of submarines and surface vessels by cruise missiles, sea-borne troop landings, bombing important targets and supporting ground forces are the most important tasks for the group based in the Crimea. About 30 thousand Russian troops and a large number of ultra-modern aircraft are already gathered there," Samus noted.
On August 11th, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began a special exercise in types of comprehensive security. As the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry reports, the exercise will take place in the ranges, airfields and training facilities of the Southern Military District and in the Black Sea water area.
On Wednesday, August 10th, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the statement of the Russian Federal Security Service about Ukraine’s alleged preparations to instigate "terrorist attacks in the Crimea." The President said that Kiev did not seek negotiations but instead proceeded to impose terror tactics. He said that to hold the summit in the Normandy format, which even Moscow was talking about several days before, became “senseless” under such circumstances.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko called Russian accusations regarding Crimea "senseless and cynical.” On August 11th, he ordered an increase in combat readiness along the administrative border with Russian-annexed Crimea and across the whole length of the demarcation line in the Donbas.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine refuted the Federal Security Service’s statements while the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine said that Ukraine strongly condemned Russia’s statements about the involvement of Kiev in "terrorism" in the Crimea.