Sea Breeze 2021 exercise ended

"The exercise took place in international waters in the Black Sea, hence non-participation units and civilian ships could have been nearby," said John. He stressed that there was no major incident with individuals who did not participate in the maneuvers. "All warships and aircraft have respected international law and maritime regulation, having regard to the safety requirements," he assured.

Captain U.S. Navy Stuart Bauman also pointed to safety and professionalism. "We have been practicing Sea Breeze since 1997, so we have a long history in developing ways of action, we are able to conduct military exercises safely and without provocation," he said.

"We are very transparent when it comes to our intentions, scope and timing. Not only the United States and Ukraine, but all our partners represent a high level of professionalism, so that we can minimize the risk of any provocation and operate only in accordance with conventions in international waters and in airspace," Bauman added.

He informed that most of the ships that participated in the Sea Breeze exercise would participate in the Breeze exercise organised by Bulgaria. "So they will remain in the Black Sea for some time, of course not exceeding the limits set out in the Montreux Convention," he stressed. The Convention regulates traffic rules through the Black Sea Straits.

Bauman stressed the high level of interoperability between troops from various states with NATO and outside the alliance, operating at sea, land and air. Colonel Martin Robeson of the Marines pointed out the benefits of the exercise in the conditions of the expedition mission.

This year's Sea Breeze exercise involved 5,000 soldiers from 32 countries of six continents, 32 ships, 40 aircraft. Poland was represented by sailors from the 8th Coast Defence Fleet. At the beginning of the maneuvers, the Ukrainian side reported that Russia had directed "nearly all Black Sea Fleet ships" to the Black Sea during the exercise.

Written by Jakub Borowski/MD