Fire and smoke spews from the deck of the Admiral Essen in the Black-Sea-on-Tuesday.

Satellite image reveals build-up of army choppers and fighter jets in Crimea

• Video showed frigate Admiral Essen launching cruise missiles after Vladimir Putin defied Western demands to ease tensions in Ukraine, where more than 100,000 Russian troops have deployed on the border 

• The warships were joined by 50 Su-25SM3 fighter jets flying low across the water, which Russia claimed was routine defensive drilling, despite the presence of landing craft used for offensive amphibious action 

• It comes after Washington expressed ‘deep concern’ at reports Putin intends to cut off parts of the Black Sea

• This could include access to Ukrainian ports in Sea of Azov, around which Crimean peninsula forms a barrier

• Satellite images from April 16 and 14 show large numbers of military aircraft at Crimea airbases

• Both Kirovskoye Airbase and Saki Airbase have numerous Russian fighter jets and helicopters stationed there

Ross Ibbetson, Will Stewart, Charlotte Mitchell and Chris Jewers – Mail Online Apr 20, 2021

More than 20 Russian warships today staged naval exercises in the Black Sea as satellite images revealed a build up of army helicopters and fighter jets in Crimea.

The release of the satellite images came after the US condemned Russia’s plans to blockade the Crimea as ‘yet another unprovoked escalation’ and as Russia insisted that it has the right to restrict foreign naval ships’ movement in the region, rejecting both the US and Ukraine’s complaints.

Tensions have soared between Moscow and the West over Russia massing troops on Ukraine’s northern and eastern borders as well as on the Crimean peninsula it annexed in 2014.

The Russian defence ministry said in a statement that more than 20 Russian warships participated in joint exercises with air force fighter jets on Tuesday.

The ships included frigates, missile ships and anti-submarine vessels, and were accompanied by squadrons of fighter jets flying ‘at extremely low altitudes in difficult weather conditions.’

The defence ministry also said that more than 50 fighter jets were moved to Crimea, and satellite images taken over two Crimea airbases – Kirovskoye Airbase and Saki Airbase – appeared to confirm this.

They showed a large force of Russian military helicopters and fighter jets sitting on the runways on April 16, April 14 and earlier at Russian airbase Morozovsk last month.

In pictures from the Saki Airbase on April 16, at least 26 fighter jets can be seen sitting on the runway. In the image taken from above Kirovskoye Airbase on April 14, 13 military helicopters are shown on the tarmac. In another view of Kirovskoye Airbase, more fighter jets and helicopters are shown in position.

An earlier satellite image taken of Morozovsk airbase in Russia on March 27 showed a row of 15 fighter jets lined up. It is unclear if they are the same fighter jets that were later pictured at Saki Airbase on Friday.

Saki Airbase Crimea. At least 26 Russian fighter jets can be seen on the tarmac. Click to enlarge

Video on Tuesday showed frigate Admiral Essen launching cruise missiles after Vladimir Putin defied Western demands to ease tensions in Ukraine, where more than 100,000 Russian troops have deployed on the border.

The warships were joined by 50 Su-25SM3 fighter jets flying low across the water, which Russia claimed was routine defensive drilling, despite the presence of landing craft used for offensive amphibious action.

A military spokesman said ‘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 naval air defence systems, he said.

Russia, which has deployed more than 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border began massive naval drills in the Black Sea Tuesday involving 20 vessels. Click to enlarge

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