It is the latest escalation level in the Black Sea: After there were already warning shots at a British warship, Russian planes are said to have harassed the Dutch frigate “HNMLS Evertsen” last Thursday for a period of five hours.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense speaks of “sham attacks”. What’s behind it? Blick answers the seven most important questions about the incident.
1. What happened?
The Dutch say: The Russian jets were armed with bombs and air-to-surface missiles. There were also malfunctions in the electronic equipment of the «Evertsen». Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten called the behavior of the Russian armed forces “irresponsible”.
2. What does Russia say?
Moscow disagrees. The planes operated at a safe distance and in accordance with international rules. The day before, warning shots with real ammunition had already been fired at the British “HMS Defender”, which belongs to the same fleet as the “Evertsen”.
3. Why did Russia fire on the British and harass the Dutch?
Russia claims that the warships deliberately entered “Russian territorial waters” off Crimea. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (60) said that the question of whether Crimea belonged to Russia was finally resolved “once and for all” in 2014.
The majority of the world community, with reference to international law, sees things differently. Which is why the British say: Your ship was in Ukrainian and not in Russian waters.
4. What are the Dutch and the British doing in the Black Sea anyway?
They are part of the two-week “Sea Breeze” military exercise that Ukraine and the USA started on Monday with 30 other countries. Ukrainian President Volodimir Selensky (43) emphasized before the beginning that the aim was to ensure that free trade and free navigation would continue to be possible in the Black Sea in the future. The maneuver has already taken place 21 times since 1997.
5. What happens during Operation Sea Breeze?
Around 5,000 soldiers, around 30 ships and 40 aircraft and helicopters practice landing operations and air defense, among other things. Russia, as co-host, had called on the US to refrain from the maneuver.
6. What is Putin’s problem?
In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the “Sea Breeze” exercise maneuver is seen as the West’s backing for the government in Kiev and is regularly criticized by Moscow.
7. How is Ukraine reacting to the incidents?
“Refined British humor,” called ex-infrastructure minister Volodimir Omeljan, the British advance according to a report of the “Tagesschau”. “The Russians tried in every possible way to prevent the exercise, because it is not just a Ukrainian-American maneuver. There is a record number of participants. This is very important to show Putin his place. ” (kin / SDA)