The Russian Ministry of Defense announced Oct. 10 that its naval forces will conduct joint exercises with their Egyptian counterparts for the first time in the Black Sea, which is bordered by several countries, including Turkey, one of the main rivals of Egypt in the region.

Observers and military experts believe the joint naval exercise is “a qualitative leap in the show of force between Cairo and Ankara,” further fueling tensions between the two countries.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in an Oct. 10 statement on its website that military delegations from Egypt and Russia met for three days in the Russian city of Novorossiysk to prepare for the joint exercises dubbed “Bridge of Friendship - 2020.” The ministry noted that the naval drills aim to “strengthen and develop military cooperation between the Egyptian Navy and the Russian Navy in the interests of security and stability at sea.”

It added, “Tactical groups of warships of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy and the Egyptian Navy, with the support of aviation, will work out joint tasks to protect sea routes from various threats."