Kyiv strongly condemns the combat drills of six Russian warships in the
Black Sea, near the southern coast of Ukraine.
According to Kiev, Moscow's maneuvers make navigation in the Black and Sea
of Azov nearly impossible.
"Russia's actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the rules and
principles of international law," the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
said in a statement Thursday.
He also added that Kiev will work closely with partner countries to prepare
a response.
"The aggressive actions of the Russian Federation as part of a hybrid war
against Ukraine are unacceptable," the ministry continued, as quoted by Al
Jazeera.
Six Moscow warships arrived in the Black Sea in two waves, on Tuesday and
Wednesday.
They then held combat drills amid tensions with the West over the Ukraine
crisis.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has once again warned Moscow
that an invasion of Ukraine would be disastrous for Russia, Ukraine and
Europe, and would bring huge costs.
"Basically, a war in Ukraine will be disastrous for the Russian and
Ukrainian people and for the security of Europe and together NATO has made
clear that any attack on Ukraine will have grave consequences," Truss told
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a visit. to Moscow.
Moscow has deployed hundreds of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian
border, but denies having any plans to invade its neighbour.
Moscow insists the deployment of its troops near the border is legal because
it is still on Russian soil.