Russian navy practises striking Black Sea targets as Ukraine, U.S. hold drills

The Bastion coastal missile system of the Black Sea Fleet launches a missile against sea targets during the exercise at the Opuk training ground in Crimea, in this still image taken from video released September 23, 2021. Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/Handout via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's navy practised firing at targets in the Black Sea off the coast of annexed Crimea using its Bastion coastal missile defence system, Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday as Ukraine held joint military drills with the United States.

The exercises in Ukraine involving U.S. and other NATO troops are set to run until Oct. 1. They follow huge war games staged by neighbouring Russia and Belarus earlier this month that alarmed the West.