War Games

Russia puts on Crimea show

- Chris Hughes

Russian warplanes have been practising low-level attacks on shipping off occupied Crimea, heightening fears of an amphibious assault on southern Ukraine.

Troops were seen landing from a patrol boat at Crimea’s Opuk range as part of exercises that Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed involved over 60 ships, around 200 aircraft, about 1,200 military vehicles and more than 10,000 troops.

Fighter jets covered an airborne operation involving more than 50 warplanes, which Russian officials said centred around planes supporting warships striking enemy vessels.