Russia May Shoot Down Ukrainian Missiles Launched Near Crimea if Threatened

Russia could shoot down Ukrainian missiles in case they represented threat, local media reported Thursday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – It was indicated in the Russian Defense Ministry’s note, protesting Ukraine introducing illegal restrictions on the use of airspace over the Black Sea during December 1-2 missile firing drills held by Kiev.

Peskov confirmed the possibility of applying the air defense forces to the Russian Vedomosti newspaper on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Peskov told reporters that Russia would not like to see Ukraine breach international law and threaten international flight safety with planned missile launches west of the Crimean peninsula coastline.

The Russian air transport agency Rosaviatsia said last week that Ukraine unilaterally decided to hold missile firing exercises near Simferopol in violation of international agreements.

The missile drills are expected to take place on December 1-2 between 05:00 GMT and 17:00 GMT, Rosaviatsia said, adding that the launches will extend into Russia’s civil airspace and present a threat to flight safety.

On November 24, the Russian Defense Ministry summoned Ukraine's defense attache to hand him the note of protest.