Poroshenko: Ukraine preparing to respond to Russian aggression in Sea of Azov
The Ukrainian military is preparing to fight back against Russian aggression in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine’s Navy shows a high level of combat readiness, drills are being held in the north coast of the Sea of Azov, and Ukrainian soldiers are being trained to repel enemy attacks, said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at the swearing-in ceremony of students at the Ivan Bohun Military High School in Kyiv.
“We are preparing to repel Russian aggression in the sea of Azov. The gunpowder must be kept ready,” he emphasized.
Poroshenko praised the combat capabilities of the Marine Corps, armored vehicle divisions, artillery, bombers, fighters and attack helicopters protecting the coast of the Sea of Azov.
“In complex tactical coastal defense force exercises in Mariupol, the crews of naval ships and boats, border guards, national guards, the Air Force, artillery and engineers firmly met and destroyed the virtual enemy’s landing party,” said Poroshenko as quoted by Ukrayinska Pravda .
By the end of the year, Ukraine plans to create a Naval base on the Sea of Azov. Two Naval armored artillery boats have put into operation in Berdyansk.
Oleksandr Turchynov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, believes that Russia is preparing to start a military and economic blockade of the Sea of Azov, viewing the Azov and Black Sea region as an important bridgehead for further expansion.