Ukraine on high alert over Russian Naval exercises

An upcoming Russian naval exercise has Ukraine worried, as the United States predicts a Russian invasion of the country could come any day.

The Russian exercise, which comes during continued tension between Russian and Ukraine, will block parts of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azoz and the Kerch Strait, leading the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs to put out a statement in protest.

“Unprecedented coverage of maneuvers makes navigation in both seas virtually impossible,” according to the Ukrainian statement. “In essence, this is a significant and unjustified complication of international shipping, especially trade, which can cause complex economic and social consequences, especially for the ports of Ukraine.”

Russia has also continued to amass troops along the border of Ukraine, despite calls from the U.S. to defuse the situation. The country announced its largest military exercise since the Cold War, which will last until Feb. 20, NPR reported. The United States sees the exercise, which is a joint one with Belarus, as a sign of Russia continuing to escalate toward an invasion.

During a press briefing Friday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that the United States anticipates a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen any day, despite previous thoughts that Russia might wait until the winter Olympics concluded.