Russia strengthening offensive group in northern Crimea

18:10, 24.11.2015 1 min read

Russia is building up its offensive group in northern Crimea, the press service of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) has reported.

"Russia is urgently strengthening its offensive group in Crimea's north. Since November 24, five Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft brought two battalions and tactical groups of paratroopers from the 98th Airborne Division of the Russian Air Forces from the airfield of the city of Ivanovo to Dzhankoy (a town in Crimea)," the press service said.

In addition, the 97th airborne assault regiment of the 7th mountain assault division (Novorossiysk) is being deployed around the village of Kalynivka, three kilometers south-west from Dzhankoy, the press service said.

"The powerful offensive capabilities of the Russian troops in occupied Crimea are being greatly increased with well trained units, which are ready for an assault," the NSDC said.