Russian OSCE envoy considers Kiev-NATO exercises near Donbas conflict zone a provocation

Joint Ukraine-NATO military exercises planned near the conflict zone in the breakaway Donbass region can be characterized as direct armed provocation, said the permanent representative of Russia to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Alexander Loukachevich. with Sputnik

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – June 10, 2021) Joint Ukraine-NATO military exercises planned near the conflict zone in the breakaway Donbass region can be characterized as direct armed provocation, Russia’s permanent representative to Russia said. the Organization for Security and Cooperation. Operation in Europe (OSCE) said Alexander Lukachevich in an interview with Sputnik.

According to Russia’s envoy to the OSCE, Ukraine plans to participate in seven joint exercises with NATO member states this year, including Defender Europe, Sea Breeze, Joint Efforts and Cossack Mace.

Military cargoes and instructors continue to arrive in the country “as if they were preparing for the exercises,” Lukachevich noted.

“Recent media reports claim that combat units from the UK and Denmark have already arrived in a large number of areas near the line of contact. The question is why? Especially since the exercises are taking place very close to the conflict zone. in the Donbass. It is a direct armed provocation, ”Lukachevich added.