Bulgarian warships are conducting military exercises in the Black Sea until February 27. The Drazki frigate crew is performing navigation control, firing at marine and air targets, protection from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, etc. The Tsibar minesweeper led by Captain-lieutenant Evstati Vinarov is performing minesweeping operations. The crew is also practicing finding and rescuing people overboard. The Struma minesweeper is controlling navigation. The exercises of the Drazki frigate and the Tsibar minesweeper are part of their preparation to join the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group Two in March and April.

In the event of an attack, Ukraine has the right under the Montreux Convention to request Turkey to close the straits to Russian warships. This was stated by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Ankara Vasyl Bodnar, Reuters reported.