Russia conducts exercises of naval aircraft in annexed Crimea
Russian Black Sea Fleet naval pilots, flying Su-24 front-line bombers and Su-30 multirole fighters took one day of single flights to assault ground targets at the Opuk polygon in annexed Crimea with rocket, missile and bombing attacks, reported the press service of the Southern Military District of the Russian Defense Ministry.
"A total of up to 20 warplanes and helicopters were involved in the combat training activities; about 50 flights were performed. The total flying time of the Black Sea Fleet's naval aviation for 2017 amounted to around 5,000 hours. At the battle practice grounds, the Black Sea Fleet's pilots practiced carrying out missile and bomb strikes on sea and coastal targets, mine-laying operations, aerial surveillance, airdrops, and submarine detection, all in all performing about 4,000 combat exercises," the Ministry reports.
The General Staff of Ukraine considers these Russian military exercises illegal, being held in annexed Crimea.