Ukrainian Intelligence: Russia deployed naval ship carrying cruise missiles to the Crimea
On the 5th of August, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine released data indicating the strengthening of the naval component of the Russian Armed Forces in the annexed Crimea. In particular, the Agency reported on the addition of ships with powerful missile complexes.
According to the press service of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the inclusion of the Admiral Makarov frigate, which is armed with a Caliber-NK cruise missile complex, is expected into the Russian Black Sea Fleet by the end of 2016. “It allows the Russians to strike from any point in the northwestern Black Sea on targets anywhere in Ukraine,” the Agency noted.
“After the inclusion of the Admiral Makarov frigate into the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the number of ships equipped with a universal Caliber cruise missile complex will increase to seven,” the Main Directorate of Intelligence added.
On the 5th of August, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, pointed out the threat from the Crimea, the militarization of which is actively performed by Russia. Russia hasn’t commented on the Ukrainian statements yet.
Earlier, the Russian Minister of Defense, Sergey Shoygu reported during the board meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow that a self-sufficient group of Russian troops was deployed in the annexed Crimea. According to him, this is due to NATO’s strengthening of its military presence in Eastern Europe and the current situation in Ukraine.