7 countries plan Black Sea naval exercise, codenamed "Jackal Stone"

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A Romanian military official says seven countries including the United States will participate in naval exercises beginning this week in the Black Sea, according to AP.

Lt. Col. Florin Jipa says a total of 1,300 service members will take part from the U.S., Ukraine, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Latvia and Sweden. All countries but Ukraine are NATO members.

Jipa says the exercises, called "Jackal Stone," run eight days from Sept. 16 to Sept. 24.

He says three ships will take part — one from Romania, one from Ukraine and the U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul.

The exercises will involve scenarios featuring military divers. Land forces including the Romanian border police and intelligence services will also take part. UNIAN