The multinational naval exercise started today Seabreeze 2015 in the Odessa and Nikolayev regions in Ukraine and in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. This is what the Russian agency reports Novorussia Today, calling it a "provocation".
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported that the maneuvers will continue until September 12 and that they "serve to increase confidence and security in the area, as well as improving interoperability between the naval forces of Ukraine and NATO".
That of 2015 would be the most consistent of all editions of the Sea Breeze carried out so far.
The exercises will involve up to 2.500 soldiers from different countries. The Ukrainian participation will see 1.000 soldiers deployed, 9 ships, 8 aircraft and helicopters, up to 50 rotated vehicles and about 10 patrol boats.
US forces will be represented by up to 1.000 fully equipped soldiers, 5 warships, 2 submarines, 6 aircraft and helicopters and 40 rotated vehicles.
Other NATO members and countries participating in the Partnership for Peace Program will send maneuvers up to 500 soldiers, 6 ships, 3 submarines, 6 aircraft and helicopters and 10 vehicles.
According to NATO sources, the participating nations include Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Moldova, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. The phase at sea will focus on maritime interdiction operations as the main tool to improve safety.
ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) and self-defense operations against attacks by small boats will follow. The operations will also test the capabilities of air defense, damage verification, search and rescue and other tactical maneuvers.
(images taken from the 2012 and 2014 editions of the Sea Breeze)
