Ukraine says it is planning ten military exercises for next year, with the participation of thousands or foreign troops, in yet another move that raises the risk of a military confrontation with Russia.

Russia scrambles a fighter jet to escort away a US spy aircraft flying over the Black Sea, amid growing concerns over the risk of a major military confrontation with the Western forces near the Russian border.

Sourabh Gupta, a senior Asia-Pacific international relations policy specialist, said the most cosmetic option is likely to be the threat to militarily intervene and push Russia back in the case of a significant troop incursion into Ukrainian territory.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visits Georgia as part of a 3-leg tour aimed to reassure allies and garner support in the Black Sea region.

On June 23, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported an intrusion by the UK HMS Defender in the Russian territorial waters in Crimea.

Russia expresses alarm about the presence of a US warship in the Black Sea while its naval forces were conducting military drills in the area, declaring that it was monitoring the actions of US Coast Guard Patrol Cutter Hamilton.

The UK’s Navy warships will sail for the Black Sea next month amid rising tensions between Ukrainian and Russian forces, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.