The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers the illegal exercises of the Black Sea fleet of the Russian Federation, which started on August 10, 2020 in the territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, as yet another evidence of the blatant disdain by the Russian Federation of the norms and principles of international law, including the UN Charter, resolutions of the UN General Assembly, as well as the effective legislation of Ukraine.

The organization of the mentioned military exercises is also an obvious illustration of Russia’s deliberate steps to escalate tensions in the Azov-Black Sea region, threatening regional and European security.

Ukraine condemns the illegal demonstration by the Russian Federation of its "military power", as well as actions aimed at further militarization of the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The Russian Federation must immediately cease its internationally wrongful acts against the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

A relevant note of protest has been forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.