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Russia fires cruise missiles in Black Sea & moves dozens of fighter jets to border as Putin ‘strangles’ Ukraine

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A NEW video shows Russian frigate Admiral Essen launching multiple cruise missiles in the Black Sea as Vladimir Putin defies Western demands to ease tensions with Ukraine.

It comes as new satellite images show Russia’s expanding military line-up near Ukraine, with Su-30 fighters lined up on a runway in Crimea which were not there last month.

Admiral Essen fired multiple Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles in the Black Sea

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Admiral Essen fired multiple Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles in the Black SeaCredit: Zvezda
Missiles were launched from one of Russia’s newest warships

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Missiles were launched from one of Russia’s newest warshipsCredit: Zvezda
Satellite image show Russia's expanding Ukraine build-up, including Su-30 fighters lined up on a runway which were not there last month

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Satellite image show Russia’s expanding Ukraine build-up, including Su-30 fighters lined up on a runway which were not there last monthCredit: Maxar Technology

Russia has an estimated 150,000 troops within striking distance of the Ukrainian border, with numbers rising by the hour, as Putin puts the country in a chokehold by surrounding it with soldiers and vehicles poised for invasion.

Putin annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and since then more than 14,000 people have died in seven years of civil war between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in the disputed Donbass region.

A ceasefire has fallen apart in recent months with increasing outbursts of violence that threaten to erupt into a full-scale war.

Today’s missile launches as Russia flexes its military muscle came from one of Putin’s newest warships – a multi-purpose patrol vessel designed to perform combat missions.

The firing of Kalibr (Caliber) cruise missiles today came as over 20 Black Sea Fleet warships held a joint exercise with the crews of Su-25SM3 attack aircraft of the Southern Military District’s Air Force and Air Defence Arm, reported TASS.

Some 50 warplanes were involved in the major exercises, which Russia portrayed as routine training.

A military spokesman said: “A naval group comprising the frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, missile corvettes Graivoron and Vyshny Volochyok, and also missile boats, small anti-submarine warfare ships and large amphibious assault ships, held an exercise to repel a notional enemy’s air attack weapons, using active radio-electronic interference.”

In addition “three squadrons of the Southern Military District’s attack aircraft held drills to attain positions for an attack”.

They practised using missiles against an enemy and dodging strikes from shipborne air defence systems.”

Pilots conducted flights at extremely low altitudes in complex weather conditions, said TASS.

Over 20 Black Sea Fleet warships held a joint exercise with the crews of Su-25SM3 attack aircraft of the Southern Military District’s Air Force and Air Defence Arm

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Over 20 Black Sea Fleet warships held a joint exercise with the crews of Su-25SM3 attack aircraft of the Southern Military District’s Air Force and Air Defence ArmCredit: Zvezda
The launches comes as Putin defies Western demands to ease tensions with Ukraine

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The launches comes as Putin defies Western demands to ease tensions with UkraineCredit: Zvezda

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Some 50 aircraft of the Southern Military District redeployed to Crimea as part of the combat drills.

It comes as satellite images show Russia has moved warplanes to Crimea and bases near Ukraine, with Su-30 fighters lined up on a runway at an air base in Crimea.

Other chilling satellite images showed thousands of Russian soldiers and armoured vehicles poised to invade from a base in annexed Crimea.

The images revealed a giant Russian military base in Marfivka, in Crimea.

The camp is located just 174 miles from Ukrainian territories and houses portions of Russia’s 58th army.

There are more than a thousand military vehicles on the site as well as accommodation for soldiers in rows in fenced-off areas.

Before and after pictures show the site was empty on March 15.

Pictures from the ground revealed by CIT also show rows of tents and a large number of military vehicles in the Russia’s southwestern region of Voronezh, which borders Ukraine.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu today accused Ukraine and the West of destabilising eastern Ukraine.

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Putin has amassed thousands troops on the border with Ukraine

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Putin has amassed thousands troops on the border with UkraineCredit: AFP

“Ukraine’s military and political leadership sticks to its destructive policy, trying to destabilize the situation in Donbas,” he said.

“The US and NATO continue engaging in provocative activities in the airspace and the waters of the Black Sea.”

Amid deep strains between Moscow and the West, he said the military and political situation “in the south-western strategic direction remains tense, largely in light of foreign attempts to increase military presence at Russia’s southern and western borders.”

Meanwhile, Russia has introduced temporary restrictions on flights over part of Crimea and the Black Sea from today until Saturday (April 24).

Russia introduced from April 20 to 24, temporary restrictions on flights over part of the Crimea and the Black Sea.

“The area has been declared temporarily dangerous for aircraft flights,” a notice to international pilots reads.

Military sources claim Russia is planning a major warship assault to seize Ukraine’s water supply.

Ukraine military insiders believe that the “most likely” attack will be a maritime and land assault in the south from Russian-occupied Crimea.

“Ukrainian military take these ships very seriously,” a senior Ukraine military source told the Mirror.

“We estimate one of the Russian scenarios could be an amphibious and air assault from occupied Crimea to seize water supply facilities in south Ukraine to provide water to Crimea.”

Russian warships during an inter-fleet move from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea

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Russian warships during an inter-fleet move from the Caspian Sea to the Black SeaCredit: AFP
EU diplomat Josep Borrell warned of the 'risk of further escalation'

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EU diplomat Josep Borrell warned of the ‘risk of further escalation’Credit: Reuters

There has been a water crisis in Crimea since Russia illegally occupied the peninsula in 2014.

For the last several months, cities in the Russian-occupied Crimea have been rationing their water, reports have said.

For most of the region, locals are can only get water for six hours a day – three hours in the morning and three in the evening.

The crisis dates back to 2014 when Ukrainian authorities blocked the North Crimean Canal which had been supplying over 85 per cent of the region’s water.

EU foreign affairs high representative Josep Borrell warned a spark could tip the stand-off into full warfare.

He said after a meeting of foreign ministers: “It is the highest military deployment of the Russian army on the Ukrainian borders ever.

“It’s clear that its a matter of concern when you deploy a lot of troops. Well, a spark can jump here or there.

“It is more than 150,000 Russian troops massing on the Ukrainian borders and in Crimea.

“The risk of further escalation is evident.”

Mr Borrell said the build-up included field hospitals and various weaponry.

Russia has sent heavy armour to the border with Ukraine

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Russia has sent heavy armour to the border with Ukraine
A Ukrainian soldier keeps on eye on rebel positions on the front line in Donetsk

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A Ukrainian soldier keeps on eye on rebel positions on the front line in Donetsk

He declined to say where he got the 150,000 figure, which is higher than the 110,000 estimated by Ukraine’s Defense Minister Andriy Taran last week.

Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba pleaded for new sanctions against Russia during a virtual meeting with EU counterparts.

But Mr Borrell said no new economic sanctions or expulsions of Russian diplomats were planned for the time being.

As the build-up continues, Russian state TV has claimed that the takeover of Ukraine’s border region was “inevitable”.

New footage from the “propaganda” media empire RT appears to show more troops joining a potential strike force.

According to Ruslan Leviev, an open source analyst with Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), the build-up is “the greatest concentration of Russian armed forces since 2014 and 2015”.

Amid escalating tensions, British warships will also reportedly set sail for the region in May.

The UK’s deployment is to show solidarity between the Nato allies and Ukraine, the Sunday Times reported.

Today Putin deployed nuclear bombers and high-tech fighter jets in a show of force to Nato allies backing Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden has offered his “unwavering support” to his counterpart in Kiev.

Russia has also been flexing its military muscle ahead of a planned anniversary parade on May 9 to commemorate its victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.



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