The Naval Aviation Wing of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has taken on an important role, per the latest intelligence update from the British Defense Ministry.

The Naval Aviation Wing is engaged in maritime air patrol operations to identify the enemy’s crewless surface vessels.

Russia has dispatched Be-12s from bases in Crimea. This amphibious Soviet-era reconnaissance aircraft can take off from land or water and engage in short-range maritime parols. It is armed with missiles, bombs, mines, rockets and even torpedoes.

British Defense Ministry also said Russia employed Su-24 Fencer and Flanker combat jets to conduct maritime strikes, including the air strike on the Snake Island.

The ministry also asserted that Russia is trying to control the north-western part of the Black Sea using the naval aviation wing.

The Russian Government said that questions about the naval operations should be directed to its defence ministry after the Wall Street Journal reported that Russia has been withdrawing its Black Sea Fleet from its main base in occupied Crimea in response to the attacks from Ukraine.

Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, and Kyiv has vowed to regain all its territories that Russia has illegally occupied.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not comment on the reports about Russia signing a deal for a permanent naval base on the Black Sea Coast of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia.

References: Jpost, virtualjerusalem

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