The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today, Friday, that its fleet in the Black Sea conducted training exercises involving live ammunition missile launches. The ministry stated: "According to the combat training plan for the Black Sea Fleet, the crew of the Ivanovich missile boat launched anti-ship cruise missiles at a vessel. Remote measurement data and video monitoring from drones confirmed the success of the exercise, and the missile strike destroyed the target ship."
The ministry also mentioned that the fleet practiced closing areas that temporarily lifted shipping restrictions, as well as training on "detaining a violating vessel." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that "unpredictable actions, along with Kyiv's involvement in terrorist activities, are likely to pose a danger in this area." Peskov confirmed that governmental agencies will decide whether ships carrying Russian oil and other goods from Russian ports in the Black Sea are at risk, and whether Moscow will change the sailing routes of its ships in the Black Sea. He clarified, "The situation is being analyzed, and our responsible agencies will provide appropriate recommendations to minimize risk."
