Mikhail Samus, the Deputy Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies (CACDS), claimed in an interview with Krym.Realii that Crimea may be involved in a “big operation” in terms of air and sea power. He made reference to three groups of Russian shock troops stationed in the north, east and south of Ukraine, noting that Crimean land forces are not likely to comprise a main attack.

"The support of submarines and surface vessels by cruise missiles, sea-borne troop landings, …

Russia must admit observers, including Western journalists, to the military exercise which will be held in the south of the country and in annexed Crimea. According to Reuters, this was the hard line presented by Lieutenant General Frederick Benjamin "Ben" Hodges, the commander of the United States Army in Europe.

Hodges said that Russia could emulate military exercises that were held under the guidance of the USA and its allies in Europe, which allowed the country to send observers.

"The …

The head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Viktor Nazarenko, stated in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine that the next stage of hybrid war between Russia and Ukraine has begun in the Crimea. According to him, provocative actions from Russia have the specific objective of increasing the level of confrontation in the territory. Nazarenko admitted that reserves from the Ukrainian Army, including heavy weapons, were deployed to the annexed Crimea.

The head of the State Border Guard …