Russia Closely Monitoring NATO Exercises in Bulgaria

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it is closely monitoring the Breeze exercise in the Black Sea, conducted by the Bulgarian Navy and NATO. The Director of the European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Vladislav Maslennikov, stated that the Russian side is closely monitoring NATO's military activities in Bulgaria. Maslennikov noted that the Breeze naval exercise, which began on Tuesday and involved the Bulgarian Navy and NATO units, is not the first joint maneuver held in the Black Sea. The official recalled that such exercises are held annually and that this year's event is the 30th of its kind, usually involving 'more than 2,000 soldiers from over 10 countries'. Maslennikov stated, 'We are monitoring not only these training exercises but all of NATO's activities, as they openly have an aggressive nature towards Russia.'