MOSCOW, July 18. /TASS/. Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Russian State Duma lower house of parliament, former Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov said on Monday he did not consider it necessary to react to each act of demonstration near the Russian borders, but warned about the Russian Armed Forces’ readiness to respond to any provocation in the Black Sea. He thus commented at TASS’ request on the beginning of the Sea Breeze - 2016 manoeuvers, involving ships from the United States and other countries.

"They have long been following this anti-Russian path, conducting these manoeuvers since 1997", the parliamentarian said. He recalled that the Black Sea is the "zone of responsibility of Russian Black Sea Fleet" and any exercises that are held near the Russian borders without Russia’s participation "should be regarded as a potential threat".

"With regard to our response - I don’t think that we should do something in response to every demonstration act near our borders. Have no doubt, Russia's armed forces are thoroughly monitoring the situation in the region and are ready to respond immediately to any provocations, using all available means", Komoyedov said.

On Monday, the Sea Breeze - 2016 military exercises that involve warships from the United States and other countries began in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, in the Odessa and Nikolayev regions of Ukraine.