The Sea Breeze 2017 international naval exercise, involving the United States and Ukraine, kicked off on Monday in the northwestern part of the Black Sea and in the regions of Odessa and Mykolaiv.

US CV-22B Osprey and P-8 Poseidon aircraft join the Sea Breeze 2017 exercise in Ukraine

Sea Breeze is a U.S. and Ukraine co-hosted multi-national air, land, and maritime exercise designed to strengthen the collective security, stability, and safety in the Black Sea.

One of the unique aspects of this Sea Breeze 2017 was the first time participation of the CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft of U.S. Air Force and  P-8 Poseidon aircraft of U.S. Navy, attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 and deployed to Sigonella.

The exercise is organized in the free play format and commanded by a headquarters established in accordance with NATO standards.

From the Ukrainian side in the exercises participated Ka-27, Mi-14, Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters and An-26, MiG-29 and Su-25 aircraft.

Total over 30 ships, boats, and service vessels, more than 25 aircraft and helicopters, as well as personnel from 16 countries in the total amount of above 3,000 servicemen, will participate in the exercises.

The exercises will take place in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, as well as northwestern part of the Black Sea, on July 10-23.