China News Service, November 25. According to "Central News Agency", Russia held a military exercise in the Black Sea on the 24th, and at the same time expressed the need to prepare for military combat because NATO has stepped up activities near the Russian border.
The British Foreign Secretary warned Russia to "not invade Ukraine" to avoid making big mistakes.
Data map: On April 22, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Russian army was holding a large-scale cross-service exercise in the Crimea region.
China News Agency issued a photo courtesy of the Russian Ministry of Defense
At the same time, Ukraine also held exercises near the border of Belarus on the 24th.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and the United States believes that Russia "may be preparing to invade its ally Ukraine."
According to reports, in the weeks before Russia and Ukraine strengthened their military activities, relations between the two sides have become increasingly tense, increasing the risk of conflict between the two neighboring countries.
However, Russia denied any intention to "aggression", and Western intelligence sources also told Reuters that they did not believe that "Russia is about to invade Ukraine."
The United States and NATO have expressed their support for Ukraine, including holding warship exercises in the Black Sea this month and handing over US patrol ships to the Ukrainian Navy.
British Foreign Secretary Truss also warned Russia on the 24th that an attack on Ukraine would make a "serious mistake" and said that London is working closely with NATO allies to support Ukraine.
When asked about "Russia may invade Ukraine", Truss said: "I think Russia would make a serious mistake in doing so. We are a very close ally of Ukraine. In addition to our NATO partners, we also directly cooperate with Ukraine. Make sure they are fully supported."
Reuters quoted the Interfax news agency as saying that Russian warplanes and ships exercised in the Black Sea on the 24th to repel air attacks on naval bases.
Interfax News Agency quoted Russian Defense Minister Shoigu as saying that "the global military and political situation is complicated, and NATO countries are intensifying activities near the Russian border", forcing Russia to further develop its own armed forces.
Shoigu stated that Russia's primary tasks include enhancing the capabilities of its armed forces, enhancing nuclear war readiness, and strengthening potential beyond nuclear deterrence.
Shoigu also accused that US bombers conducted nuclear attacks on Russia from two different directions earlier this month, and expressed dissatisfaction with these military planes being too close to the Russian border.
The Pentagon stated that the US exercise complied with international standards.
Ukraine held so-called "special operations" operations on the border with Belarus on the 24th, including drone exercises, anti-tank and airborne assault unit exercises.
Worried about being involved in the recent immigration crisis in Europe, Ukraine has deployed an additional 8,500 troops along the Belarusian border.
The European Union accused Belarus of sending Middle Eastern immigrants back to their country and then driving them into neighboring Poland, but Belarus denied that it provoked a crisis.
Since November, the confrontation between Russia and the West over the Ukrainian issue has continued.
Ukraine said that the country is seeking additional military assistance from its Western allies.
The Russian side accused the Western camp of fueling the conflict in Ukraine by conducting Black Sea exercises and dispatching strategic bombers, and has repeatedly denied that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine.