“It contains unacceptable accusations against Russia, built on speculation, speculation and distortion of facts. In particular, the theses on the “militarization” of the Crimea and parts of the Black and Azov Seas do not stand up to criticism, ”it follows from a statement published by the press service of the agency.
Moscow explained that at present the Russian military contingent in Crimea is less than before 2014, when up to 27 thousand troops of Russia and Ukraine were based on the peninsula.
“As for the water area of the Sea of Azov, in this area our naval bases are not located at all. The forces located there are used to protect the Crimean bridge and ensure the safety of navigation, ”the Russian ministry added.
At the same time, the preventive measures that Russia is implementing in the waters of the Sea of Azov, including selective inspection of ships, are aimed at preventing extremist threats.
At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry urged to pay attention to the active build-up of the military potential of Ukraine along the coastline in the Berdyansk region and the conduct of artillery fire.
“The Ukrainian delegation planned to discuss the document on the very day of the summit in Paris in the“ Norman format ”... It is possible that such a move was initiated by opponents of the Ukrainian president who wanted to interfere with the constructive course of the meeting,” the Russian department concluded.
On December 9, 63 member countries of the UN General Assembly supported the resolution of Ukraine on the “militarization of Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as parts of the Black and Azov Seas”.
Crimea became the Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014, in which most residents spoke out for reunification with Russia.