'We are very concerned with the militarisation of Crimea' ... US General Philip Breedlove, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, speaks during a news conference in Kiev. Photo: Reuters <\/p>\n
Kiev, Ukraine:NATO's top military commander said during a visit to Kiev on Wednesday that Russian forces were still operating in easternUkraine, providing the \"backbone\" to separatist rebels fighting government forces. <\/p>\n
NATO's top military commander has also warned that Russia's \"militarisation\" of the annexed Crimea region could be used by Moscow to exert control across the whole Black Sea region. <\/p>\n
\"We are very concerned with the militarisation of Crimea,\" US General Philip Breedlove told a press conference in Kiev. <\/p>\n
A Russian orthodox priest blesses a SU-27 SM fighter jet on the airfield of Belbek military airport outside Sevastopol, Crimea. Russia has moved 10 Russian SU-27 SM and four SU-30 fighter jets there. Photo: AFP <\/p>\n
\"The capabilities that are being installed in Crimea will bring an effect on almost the entire Black Sea.\" <\/p>\n
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Breedlove, the commander of American forces in Europe, says that cruise and surface-to-air missiles installed on the peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in March, would be \"able to exert influence\" over the strategic region. <\/p>\n
He says the US-led alliance is \"watching for indications\" amid fears over the possibility that Russia could move any of its nuclear arsenal to Crimea. <\/p>\n
A Russian T-72 tank without a licence plate and coming from Donetsk airport area moves along a snow-covered avenue in the district of Kievsky in Donetsk. Photo: AFP <\/p>\n
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