NATO concerned by Russian forces in Crimea and Ukraine: US General Breedlove

'We are very concerned with the militarisation of Crimea' ... US General Philip Breedlove, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, speaks during a news conference in Kiev. Photo: Reuters

Kiev, Ukraine:NATO's top military commander said during a visit to Kiev on Wednesday that Russian forces were still operating in easternUkraine, providing the "backbone" to separatist rebels fighting government forces.

NATO's top military commander has also warned that Russia's "militarisation" of the annexed Crimea region could be used by Moscow to exert control across the whole Black Sea region.

"We are very concerned with the militarisation of Crimea," US General Philip Breedlove told a press conference in Kiev.

A Russian orthodox priest blesses a SU-27 SM fighter jet on the airfield of Belbek military airport outside Sevastopol, Crimea. Russia has moved 10 Russian SU-27 SM and four SU-30 fighter jets there. Photo: AFP

"The capabilities that are being installed in Crimea will bring an effect on almost the entire Black Sea."

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Breedlove, the commander of American forces in Europe, says that cruise and surface-to-air missiles installed on the peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in March, would be "able to exert influence" over the strategic region.

He says the US-led alliance is "watching for indications" amid fears over the possibility that Russia could move any of its nuclear arsenal to Crimea.

A Russian T-72 tank without a licence plate and coming from Donetsk airport area moves along a snow-covered avenue in the district of Kievsky in Donetsk. Photo: AFP

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NATO concerned by Russian forces in Crimea and Ukraine: US General Breedlove