“Absolute stupidity”: the Kremlin responded to Ukraine’s statements about preparations for a “military confrontation”

Statements by the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy on preparations for full-scale hostilities with Russia contribute to escalating anti-Russian hysteria. 
This was stated by spokesman for the Russian President Dmitry Peskov.

“This is absolute stupidity, this is an artificial escalation of anti-Russian hysteria, which in no way helps to resolve the situation in the southeast,” Peskov emphasized.

Earlier on July 5, Rear Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Aleksey Neizhpapa said in an interview with Dumskaya that Ukraine was "preparing for a full-scale military confrontation." At the same time, Rear Admiral said that he could not disclose details, but noted that "the range of the Neptune missile system allows it to be used from mainland Ukraine on approaches to Sevastopol."

“Absolutely fantastic statement”

Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Volodymyr Dzhabarov believes that the commander of the Ukrainian Navy with such a statement pushes the country to an armed conflict with Russia.

“Why are they invading? They want to “liberate” Crimea from Russia, believe that it is captured? And they asked the inhabitants of the peninsula? In my opinion, the attitude of Crimeans was confirmed by the last vote on amendments to the Constitution, where more than 90% of Crimeans supported these amendments. This suggests that they feel fine in their home, which is called the Russian Federation, and do not need anyone to be "released", ”said Vladimir Dzhabarov to RT.

According to the politician, the commander "must answer for his words," because in this way he "embarrasses his president and his country in front of the international community."

Crimean Senator Olga Kovitidi, commenting on the statements of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, noted the insolvency of the Ukrainian fleet, which, according to her, was equipped with outdated ships. 

“The mosquito bites of the commander of the mosquito fleet of Ukraine did not scare anyone in Russia,” said Kovitidi. - Russia, the strongest world power, has no one to fear, and there is no reason to. We are a peaceful and strong country. We are a powerful sea power, and we need to be friends with us. ”

In an interview with RT, political analyst Ivan Mezyuho said that Russia had never announced plans to “attack” the Ukrainian state with the goal of resuming the operation of the North Crimean canal.

“This is an absolutely fantastic statement,” the expert emphasized. “In general, this is just another empty chatter by the Ukrainian military.”

He also noted that the Ukrainian Navy does not constitute “no serious formation”. According to the political scientist, Ukraine is pouring insufficient funds into the Navy, and perhaps the Ukrainian military is thus trying to draw attention to the underfunding of this kind of troops from the central authorities.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had given the task to the commander of the Navy to fully equip the fleet with missile weapons. According to him, this will be the main "deterrence factor."

The Ukrainian leader called the tests of the Neptune missile system “super important”. According to him, the adoption of the complex into service will make the country "an even stronger player in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas."

"Return" of the Crimea

Crimea became part of the Russian Federation after a referendum held in March 2014, at which the vast majority of the region's residents supported this decision.

At the same time, the authorities of Ukraine, the USA and EU countries continue to regard the peninsula as “occupied” territory. Moscow, for its part, states that the vote was held in accordance with international law, and the Crimean issue has long been closed.

At the same time, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated their intention to “return” the peninsula. So, at the end of June during a working trip to the Kherson region, this was announced by President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky.

“We will return everyone: we will return Crimea, and people. We believe in it, ”he said.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed dissatisfaction with the voting, including in Crimea, on amendments to the Constitution of Russia. The Ukrainian department called on international partners to strengthen anti-Russian sanctions.

In Kiev, they threatened that they would turn to international partners to condemn the organization of voting on the peninsula, "including by increasing sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation."