NATO Commander States When They Would Fire at Russian Ships

The commander of the U.S. naval forces in Europe and Africa, Robert Burke, has clarified under what circumstances NATO forces would fire at Russian ships in the Black Sea. According to "RIA Novosti," the military official stated that when a foreign aircraft approaches NATO minesweepers, commanders independently decide whether it is preparing to attack or not.

"It can be argued that they (the Russian forces) provoke us to strike first. We do not intend to do so without provocation, but at the same time, I will not demand that my commanders take the first hit to the face," Burke said.

The admiral emphasized that Russian naval forces constantly accompany NATO ships operating in the region.